French verbs beginning with S

494 verbs with English meanings. Select a verb to see its conjugation.

• sabbatiserto observe the Sabbath
• sablerto sand (cover with sand); to sandblast; to chug (drink quickly); to cut butter or fat into flour to form a pebbly mixture
• saborderto scuttle (a ship) (transitive); to pull the plug on (figurative, transitive)
• saboterto sabotage
• saboulerto torment, harass, or scold severely; to bully or rebuke angrily
• sabrerto slash with a sabre (transitive); to remove large sections from a text while editing it, to axe (figurative); to open a bottle, usually champagne, with a slice from a sword
• saccaderto jerk, jolt; to shake
• saccagerto sack, pillage (transitive); to ransack (figurative, transitive)
• saccharifierconvert polysaccharides to simple sugars
• sacquerto sack, fire (an employee) (transitive); to be able to stand someone (transitive); to give low marks to a pupil (transitive)
• sacraliserto make sacred (transitive)
• sacrerto crown (transitive); to post (nominate to a certain post or position) (transitive); whack; slam (put violently) (transitive); to swear, curse; to run one's mouth (intransitive)
• sacrifierto sacrifice (all meanings)
• sadisersadistically treat; give a sadistic character to
• safariserto go on safari
• safranerto spice or color with saffron
• saietterclean with a jeweler's brush
• saignerbleed; make bleed; bleed someone financially (figurative)
• saillirto stick out, bulge out, jut out; to spurt (archaic); to sire (to procreate) (archaic)
• saisirgrab; seize; understand; enter data
• salarierpay wages
• salariserto hire
• salerto salt (transitive)
• salifierto salify, turn into salt
• saliniserto salinate
• salirto dirty, make dirty; to sully (someone's reputation etc.)
• saliverto salivate (produce saliva); to salivate (to show eager anticipation)
• saloperto bugger up (do something badly) (informal); to muck up (make dirty) (informal, vulgar)
• salpêtrerto cover with saltpeter; to apply saltpeter to ground and compact it
• salpêtriserto cover with saltpeter
• saluerto greet (transitive); to wave to (as a greeting) (transitive); to say goodbye to (transitive); to salute
• sanctifierto sanctify
• sanctionnerto sanction, to recognize, to ratify, to make valid (transitive); to sanction, to punish (transitive)
• sanctuariserto sanctuarize
• sandwicherto eat sandwiches; to put between two layers
• sanforiserto treat fabric to prevent shrinking
• sanglerto strap up (transitive); to strap (hit with a strap) (transitive); to tell off, chide (transitive); to do up one's belt, corset, trousers (reflexive)
• sangloterto sob (intransitive)
• sanskritiserexpand Sanskrit usage
• saoudiserto make Saudi
• saoulermake drunk; annoy or bore (informal)
• saoûlermake drunk; annoy or bore (informal)
• saperto sap, do sapping work on (to subvert by digging) (transitive); to erode, wear down, undermine (figurative, transitive); to dress (informal, reflexive, transitive); to eat or chew noisily (informal, transitive)
• saponifierto saponify
• saquerto sack, fire (an employee) (transitive); to be able to stand someone (transitive); to give low marks to a pupil (transitive)
• sarcelliserdevelop a place with uniform high-rise housing estates
• sarclerto hoe
• sarmentergather cut vine shoots
• sasserto sieve, to sift
• satanerto beat
• sataniserto Satanize (transitive)
• satelliserto put into orbit (as a satellite) (transitive); to turn (a state, organization, etc.) into a satellite; bring into its orbit (transitive); to tune in to a radio station via satellite radio (transitive)
• satinerto give a satinlike appearance
• satiriserto satirise
• satisfaireto satisfy; to fulfil (to do what was expected); to meet (expectations)
• saturerto saturate; to have reached saturation point; to have had enough (figurative, informal, intransitive)
• saucerto drench in sauce; to sauce; to mop up the sauce; to drench, soak
• saucissonnerto slice, slice up (transitive); to chop up, divide up (transitive)
• saumurerto soak in brine
• saunergather salt
• saupoudrerto salt (transitive); to sprinkle powder (onto) (transitive); to sprinkle (onto) (figurative, transitive)
• saurerto smoke (food etc.)
• saussuritiserturn into saussurite
• sauterjump; leap; skip; blow up
• sautillerto hop (make small jumps); to skip; to bound
• sauvegarderto safeguard; to protect; to preserve, to keep intact; to save; to back up
• sauversave; rescue
• savoirknow a fact; know how to
• savonnerto soap, wash with soap; to lather
• savourerto savour, to savor; to taste
• scalperto scalp (transitive)
• scandaliserto scandalize, to cause a scandal
• scanderto scan; to chant (name, slogan etc.); to enunciate (words) carefully; to articulate separately, accentuate; to emphasise (discourse, argument)
• scandinaviserto give Scandinavian character to
• scannerto scan (to create a digital copy of an image using a scanner)
• scannériserto scan (use a scanner to input data)
• scarifierto scarify (transitive)
• scellerto seal (place a seal on) (transitive); to seal (fasten something to prevent its being opened) (transitive); to seal (close securely) (transitive); to seal, guarantee (figurative, transitive)
• schelinguerstink; smell bad (informal)
• schistifierprotect a mine gallery from explosions with non-combustible dust
• schizophréniserto make schizophrenic
• schlinguerto stink, to reek (informal, intransitive)
• schlittertransport timber on a logging sledge
• schtroumpferto smurf (used to replace any other verb) (slang)
• schématiserto schematize (transitive); to map (represent graphically) (transitive)
• scientifiserto consider from a scientific point of view
• scierto saw (cut with a saw); to halt or go backwards
• scinderto split up, to divide (transitive)
• scintillerto sparkle, twinkle
• scléroserto harden (transitive); to harden, to sclerose, to become sclerosed (reflexive); to paralyse (figurative, transitive); to ossify, to become fossilized, to grind to a halt (figurative, reflexive)
• scolariserto send to school
• scorifierto scorify
• scotcherto apply Scotch tape; to numb, freeze (figurative)
• scotomiserto push away unpleasant reality; to deliberately omit
• scratcherto scratch, to make a scratch (informal)
• scribouillerwrite badly; scribble
• scripterto script
• scruterto scrutinise, scrutinize, put under the microscope (transitive)
• sculpterto sculpt
• scénariserto screenwrite (write a screenplay)
• se souvenirremember; recall (se souvenir de)
• se suiciderto commit suicide, to kill oneself, suicide
• secondariserto make secondary
• seconderto assist (transitive); to help, ease
• secouerto shake (transitive); to shake off (oppression etc.) (transitive); to shake (emotionally, figuratively) (transitive); to shake up (transitive)
• secourirto succor; to help out
• secréterTo felt (treat with mercury to make felt): to carrot
• sectionnerto section (cut into sections); to dissect
• sectoriserto sectorize (divide into sectors) (transitive)
• segmenterto segment
• sellerto saddle
• semblerseem; appear
• semerto sow (scatter seed, etc.); to shake off, to lose (a pursuer); to spread, to sow (figurative)
• semoncerto scold, reprimand, rebuke (literary)
• sensationnaliserto sensationalize
• sensibiliserto make sensitive (transitive); to raise awareness (transitive)
• sentimentaliserto sentimentalise/sentimentalize
• sentirfeel; smell; sense
• seoirto be suitable for; to be proper for (literary); to be situated; sit down (see also s’asseoir) (dated, literary)
• septembrisermassacre
• septuplerto septuple (multiply by seven)
• serbiserto make Serb
• serfouirhoe the soil
• serinerto drum something into someone (transitive)
• seringuerto syringe
• sermonnerto lecture, sermonise (transitive)
• serpenterto snake, wind (move in a winding path)
• serpentiniserto make serpentine; to become serpentine
• serrersqueeze; tighten; shake hands; hold close
• sertirto crimp (transitive); to set, socket (transitive)
• servirserve; be used for; help oneself (se servir)
• sevrerto wean
• sextuplerto sextuple, to multiply by six
• sexualiserto sexualize
• sganarelliserdeceive
• shampooinerto shampoo
• shampouinerto shampoo (to wash with shampoo)
• shooterto shoot the ball forward in an attempt to place it in the opponent's goal; to shoot up, inject oneself with drugs
• shunterto shunt
• shérardisercoating with zinc
• sidérerto dumbfound, flummox; to consternate
• sifflerto whistle (intransitive, transitive); to whistle for, to blow on a whistle for (transitive); to boo by whistling (to show one's disapproval at something) (transitive); to hiss (intransitive)
• siffloterto whistle (carelessly) (intransitive)
• signalerpoint out; report; signal; flag
• signaliserto signalize (set up signs or signals) (transitive)
• signersign; communicate in sign language
• signifiermean; signify; formally notify
• silhouetterto silhouette, outline (transitive)
• silicatisersilicate
• silicifiersilicify
• siliconerinject silicone for cosmetic treatment; coat or seal with silicone
• sillonnerto crisscross; cut across; furrow; to go back and forth (across); to leave traces of one's passage or way (figurative)
• similiserto treat (cotton) to give it a silk appearance
• simplifierto simplify
• simulerto feign, to fake, to put on, to pretend to have (transitive); to dive (to pretend to be fouled in order to gain an advantage) (intransitive); to fake it (to feign to be enjoying sex; to pretend to have an orgasm) (intransitive)
• sinapiserstrengthen an effect by adding mustard flour
• singerto ape; to sprinkle with flour
• singulariserto singularize
• siniserto sinicize
• sinistrerdevastate; cause disastrous damage to
• sintérisersinter; fuse powdered material by heating
• siphonnerto siphon
• siroterto sip
• situerto locate (to find the location of something); to situate; to be located (at a certain place); To be (for a place)
• siégerto sit (hold a seat) (transitive); to sit; to be located; lie
• skierto ski
• slalomerto slalom
• slaviserto make Slavic or more Slavic
• smasherto smash
• smillerto chisel
• snifferto consume a drug via the nose
• snoberto snub, high-hat, disregard someone (transitive); to refuse, ignore, disdain a favor, an honor (transitive)
• sociabiliserto make sociable
• socialiserto socialize; to nationalize; to make or become socialist
• socratiserto Socratize
• sodomiserto sodomise (transitive)
• soignertreat; nurse; take care of; pay attention to
• solariserto solarize (transitive)
• solderto close (a deal); to settle, to pay off (debt); to sell at sales, to have a sale; to end up (in), to result (in) (reflexive)
• solenniserto solemnize (transitive)
• solfier(singing) to sing using the sol-fa system
• solidariserto interlock or unify (transitive); to stand by someone (reflexive)
• solidifierto solidify
• soliloquerspeak to oneself
• solliciterto solicit; to attract (attention, interest)
• solmifiersing by note names (rare)
• solmisersing using note names; sol-fa
• solubiliserto solubilize (transitive)
• solutionnerto solve
• solvabilisermake solvent
• soléciserto make grammatical errors
• somatiserto somatize, to have a psychosomatic reaction to
• sombrerto sink (intransitive, literary); to sink (+dans; into) (figurative, intransitive, literary); to whittle away (disappear) (figurative, intransitive)
• sommeillerto doze, nap, sleep
• sommerto sum up; to summon, to call
• somnolerto slumber
• sonderto probe (test with a probe) (transitive); to probe (test the depth of something) (transitive); to sound (use sound waves to establish the depth) (transitive); to probe (look carefully around) (transitive)
• songerto dream (intransitive, literary); to think (about), consider (that) (intransitive); to ponder, to imagine, to consider (intransitive); to dream about (literary, transitive)
• sonnaillerring often and uselessly; ring herds' bells
• sonnerring; sound; stun
• sonoriserto voice (transitive); to install a sound system (transitive)
• sophistiquer(rare) to use sophistic arguments (intransitive); to render more sophisticated; to falsify (dated); to corrupt (dated)
• sortirgo out; take out; come out
• soucierworry; concern; care about (se soucier de)
• souderto solder
• soudoyerto bribe (transitive)
• soufflerto blow; to blow out; to whisper; to relax (figurative)
• souffleterto slap (across the face)
• souffrirsuffer; be in pain; tolerate
• soufrerto sulfate/sulphate
• souhaiterwish; wish for; hope; want
• souillerto soil, sully, dirty (transitive); to make unclean or impure; defile, profane (transitive); to blacken, besmirch, defile (figurative, transitive)
• soulagerto relieve, soothe (transitive); to make oneself feel better, to find relief (reflexive); to relieve oneself (informal, reflexive)
• souleverto raise, to lift up, to pick up; to stir up (emotions), to rouse (interest); to revolt, to rise up (against) (reflexive)
• soulignerto underscore, to underline (draw a line under) (transitive); to highlight, to emphasize (put emphasis on) (transitive)
• soumettreto submit
• soumissionnerto tender, bid (for) (transitive)
• souperto dine
• soupeserto heft, feel the weight of; to weigh up (options etc.) (figurative)
• soupirerto sigh; to yearn, to long for (figurative)
• soupçonnerto suspect (have a suspicion)
• souquerto heave (pull hard on a rope, oars, etc.) (transitive)
• sourcillerto frown (intransitive)
• sourdreto well up (intransitive)
• souriresmile; smile at; appeal to
• sous-capitaliserundercapitalize
• sous-catégorisersubcategorize
• sous-entendreto imply (transitive)
• sous-estimerto underestimate; to undervalue
• sous-industrialiserunderdevelop
• sous-médicaliserundermedicalize
• sous-qualifierdowngrade someone’s qualifications or the required skill level
• sous-titrerto subtitle
• sous-utiliserunderuse
• souscrireto subscribe (all meanings)
• sousestimerunderestimate
• soussignersign below
• soustendreunderlie
• soustraireto subtract (to remove or reduce); to subtract; to avoid, to escape (from) (reflexive); to preserve, protect from; free from
• soutachertrim with soutache braid
• soutenirsupport; back; maintain a claim
• soutirerto rack (beer or wine) (transitive)
• soviétiserto Sovietize (transitive)
• soûlermake drunk; annoy or bore (informal); feed or fill to excess (dated)
• spammerto spam
• spathifierto turn into spar (transitive)
• spatialiserrepresent in space; send into space
• spiralerto spiral
• spiraliserto spiral
• spirantiserto make a sound spirant
• spiritualiserto spiritualise
• splénectomiserremove the spleen
• spolierto despoil (transitive)
• sponsoriserto sponsor
• sporulerproduce spores
• sprinterto sprint (run quickly over a short distance)
• spécialiserto specialize, to assign a specialized task or property to something (transitive); to specialize
• spécifierto specify
• spéculerto speculate (intransitive); to speculate (guess) (intransitive)
• squatterto squat (to occupy a building or land without permission); to crash (to make temporary living arrangements); to tie up
• squattériserto squat, to illegally occupy a place
• stabiliserto stabilise (transitive)
• stafferto cover with staff (the building material) (transitive)
• stagnerto stagnate
• staliniserto Stalinize
• standardiserto standardize (transitive)
• starifierto make (someone) into a star (transitive)
• stariserto make [somebody] a star (transitive)
• stationnerto park (bring to a halt); to station
• statuerto rule, determine
• statufierErect a statue; petrify; become motionless
• stendhaliserto render in Stendhal style; to write in the manner of Stendhal
• stigmatiserto stigmatize (to mark with a permanent identity mark branded, cut or tattooed onto the skin) (transitive); to blame, to criticize (transitive)
• stimulerto stimulate (transitive); to whip up (transitive)
• stipendierto hire someone to do something illegal
• stipulerto specify, stipulate
• stockerto store (keep (something) while not in use); to stock; to stock up
• stoloniserproduce stolons; populate via stolons
• stopperto stop, in regard to motors and machines; to take (a hit, a bullet) (informal); to stop (informal)
• strangulerto strangle (literary, rare)
• stratifierto stratify
• stratégiserto formulate a strategy; to plan strategically; to approach strategically
• stresserto stress (cause stress to) (transitive); to become stressed, to stress out (intransitive)
• stridulerto chirp, to stridulate
• strierto streak, stripe (transitive); to striate (transitive)
• structurerto structure
• strychniserinject strychnine
• stupéfaireto stupify, amaze
• stupéfierto stupify, amaze
• stuquerTo stucco
• stylerto style; to dress
• styliserto stylize (transitive)
• sténographierto transcribe (dictation) into shorthand (transitive)
• stérerto measure in cubic metres
• stériliserto sterilize (transitive)
• stéréotyperto stereotype
• subalternisersubjugate
• subdiviserto subdivide (transitive)
• subdéléguerto delegate
• subirundergo; suffer; be subjected to
• subjectiviserto subjectivize (transitive)
• subjuguerto subjugate (transitive); to enthrall, captivate (transitive)
• sublimerto render sublime, make extraordinary (transitive); to sublimate (change from solid to gas)
• sublimiserto make sublime; to become sublime
• submergerto submerge; to engulf in or with something
• subminiaturisermake smaller than miniature
• subodorerto smell, to sense; to scent (archaic)
• subordonnerto subordinate (to) (transitive)
• subornerto suborn; to bribe
• subrogerto subrogate
• subsisterto subsist, live on, go on, keep going; to stay, remain
• substantialiserconsider as substance
• substantifierto form a noun from another word
• substantiverto substantivize, nominalize
• substituerto substitute
• subsumerto subsume (to place under another as belonging to it)
• subtiliserto snatch; take possession of (informal, transitive)
• suburbaniserto give suburban character to
• subvenirto provide for, to meet (intransitive)
• subventionnerto subsidize
• subvertirto subvert
• subérifierform cork tissue
• subérisergive the properties of cork to; form cork tissue
• succomberto succumb (intransitive)
• succéderto succeed (to follow in order) (intransitive); to inherit by right of kinship
• sucerto suck; to give head, to suck off (slang, vulgar)
• sucrerto sugar (to add sugar to, to sweeten); to steal, to take away from someone (informal)
• sudorifiercause sweating
• suerto sweat
• suffirebe enough; suffice
• suffixerto suffix
• suffoquerto suffocate
• suggestionnerinfluence through suggestion or hypnosis
• suggérersuggest; propose; imply
• suiferto coat or wrap in suet or tallow
• suifferto coat or wrap in suet or tallow
• suinterto ooze (figurative, intransitive)
• suivrefollow; attend a course; keep up with
• sulfaterto sulfate (transitive); to spray copper sulfate solution (as a fungicide) (transitive); to shoot a gun at someone or something
• sulfinisertreat a metal surface with sulphur and nitrogen
• sulfonerto sulphonate
• sulfurerto sulphur
• sulfuriserto sulfurize (transitive)
• superposerto superimpose, overlay
• superviserto supervise
• supplanterto supplant (transitive)
• supplicierto kill by torture (transitive)
• supplierbeg; implore; plead with
• suppléerto supply; to replace
• supplémenterto supplement (transitive)
• supporterbear; put up with; support a weight or team
• supposersuppose; assume; require or imply
• supprimerto delete; to suppress; to remove, to take out
• suppurerto suppurate, fester (form or discharge pus)
• supputerto calculate, to work out
• supérioriserto make superior
• surabonderto abound (in)
• suractiveroveractivate
• suradapteradapt excessively
• suradministrerto administer excessively
• surajouterto superadd (transitive); to superimpose (transitive)
• suralcooliserincrease alcohol content
• suralimenterto overfeed
• surarmerto overarm
• surbaisserto lower, to surbase; to undersling
• surcapitaliserto overcapitalize
• surchaptaliserchaptalise excessively
• surchargerto overcharge (transitive); to overload, overburden, overcrowd (transitive); to surcharge (transitive)
• surchaufferto overheat
• surclasserto outclass
• surcompenserovercompensate
• surcomprimercompress to reduce volume
• surconsommerconsume excessively
• surcontrerredouble (bridge)
• surcouperto overtrump (transitive)
• surdensifieroverdensify
• surdimensionnerto oversize; to exaggerate
• surdoserto overdose (intransitive)
• surdéterminerdetermine strongly
• surdévelopperdevelop an underexposed photograph for longer
• surenchérirto place a higher bid (intransitive)
• surencombrerovercrowd
• surendetterburden with excessive debt
• surentraînerto overtrain
• surestimerto overestimate
• surexciterto overexcite, to cause to become restless
• surexploiterto overexploit
• surexposerto overexpose; to show (typically a body part) too much
• surfacerto plane, to smooth (a surface) (transitive)
• surfacturerto bill at an inflated price
• surfaireto overmake; to oversell (someone)
• surferto surf (on a wave); to surf (to browse the internet)
• surfilerto oversew (transitive)
• surgelerto deep-freeze
• surgeonnerproduce root suckers
• surgirto emerge or appear; to crop up (intransitive); to arise or stand up (intransitive)
• surhausserto raise higher; increase the arch
• surimposerto overtax (transitive)
• surindustrialiseroverindustrialize
• surinerto stab; to knife; to shiv (slang)
• surinformeroverload with information
• surinterpréterto overinterpret, to read too much into something
• surinvestirto overinvest
• surirto sour; to curdle
• surjetersew with overlock stitch
• surmenerto overwork
• surmilitarisermilitarize excessively
• surmonterto overcome, to surmount, to get over (transitive); to top, to crown (a building, etc.) (transitive)
• surmoulercast using a mould taken from an existing cast object
• surmultipliermultiply greatly
• surmédiatiseroverexpose in media
• surmédicaliserto overmedicalize
• surnagerto stay afloat; to keep up, to make it
• surnaturaliserto make supernatural
• surnommerto nickname
• surnourriroverfeed
• suroccuperto occupy too much space
• suroxyderTo overoxidize
• surpasserto surpass, outdo (transitive)
• surpayerto overpay (transitive)
• surperformeroutperform; achieve an above-average result
• surpeupleroverpopulate
• surplomberto overhang; to overlook; to hang over, to hang above
• surprendresurprise; catch in the act; discover unexpectedly
• surproduireto overproduce
• surprotégerto overprotect
• surpénaliserto punish excessively
• surqualifierto overqualify (transitive)
• surreprésenterto overrepresent
• sursaturerto supersaturate (transitive)
• sursauterto make a sudden movement by being surprised; to start, jump (intransitive)
• surseoirto defer, to postpone; to stay (a penal sentence)
• sursignifierto signify more
• surstabiliserstabilize excessively
• surtaxerto overtax (impose too much taxation); to charge an additional fee
• surtitrerto surtitle (transitive)
• surutiliserto overuse
• survaloriserovervalue
• surveillerwatch; keep an eye on; supervise; monitor
• survenirto occur; to happen unexpectedly; to appear, arrive (unexpectedly)
• survirerto oversteer
• survitamineradd excessive amounts of vitamins; give extra energy to
• survivresurvive; outlive
• survolerto fly over (transitive); to skip through, to browse quickly; to fly high
• survolterto boost (an electrical circuit); to overexcite
• suréleverto increase the height of, raise
• suréquiperto overequip
• surévaluerto overrate, overstate
• susciterto stir up, fuel, evoke, suscitate
• suspecterto suspect (transitive)
• suspendreto suspend (hang freely); to suspend (temporarily cancel or expel)
• sustenterto eat, to take sustenance
• susurrerto whisper (talk quietly) (intransitive)
• suturerto sew up, stitch up, suture (transitive)
• suçoterto suck (out) (transitive)
• swinguerto swing (dance)
• syllaberto syllabify
• syllabiserdivide into syllables
• syllogiserto infer by means of syllogisms; to syllogize
• symbiotisersymbiotise
• symboliserto symbolize (to be symbolic of; to represent)
• sympathiserto hit it off
• symétriserto symmetrise
• synchroniserto synchronize (transitive)
• syncoperto syncopate
• syncristallisercrystallize together
• syncrétiserto syncretize
• syndicaliserto unionize
• syndiquerto syndicate; to unionize
• synthétiserto synthesize
• syntoniserto syntonize
• syphiliserinfect with syphilis
• syrianiserto Syrianize
• systématiserto collate; to organize
• sécherto dry; to play truant (informal); to dry up, to run out of things to say (informal, intransitive); to fail
• sécréterto secrete
• séculariserto secularize (transitive)
• sécuriserto secure (to move from a feeling of anxiety to a feeling of security, to an impression of confidence); to put at ease (transitive)
• sédentariserto settle (set up as a swelling) (intransitive); to settle (establish as a home) (reflexive)
• sédimenterto sediment
• séduireto seduce; to lure
• ségréguersegregate
• séjournerto stay, to sojourn (intransitive)
• sélecterselect; choose carefully
• sélectionnerto select, to pick (to choose one or more elements from a set)
• sémantiserto attribute meaning
• sénégaliserto make Senegalese
• séparerseparate; divide; split up
• séquencerto sequence
• séquestrerto sequester, to store away; to detain, to confine (often against one's will)
• sérancerto hackle (card hemp)
• sérialiserto serialize
• sérierto seriate (make into a series)
• sévirto crack down, clamp down (intransitive); to rage (intransitive); to be rife (intransitive); to hold sway (intransitive)