la

feminine

/sɛʁ.vjɛt/

#1977 of 5,000 Core 5000

Translation

towel; napkin, serviette; briefcase

Word origin

From the verb servir ('to serve') plus the diminutive ending -ette. It first named the cloth used when serving at table, and the sense widened to any cloth for drying and then to the flat case a clerk carries.

Origin: French
Root: servir
English cognates: serve, service, serviette

Grammar

Genderfeminine

Pluralserviettes

Examples

' .

Take a clean towel before you go for a shower.

plié .

He folded the napkins beside each plate.

The teacher arrived with his briefcase under his arm.

My beach towel was left in the car.

- , j' .

Pass me a paper napkin, I have spilt my coffee.

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French · Free printables

serviette: worksheet, infographic and listicle

Free printable study downloads for the French word "serviette" (towel; napkin, serviette; briefcase): a worksheet with the answer key built in, an infographic, and a sentence listicle. Open any one to view, print or save.

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This word is part of lesson 40.