A
abbatial (Fr. abbatial)
abbreviation, from abréviation
abet
abhor (Fr. abhorrer)
ability (Fr. habileté)
abjection
ablation (Fr. ablation)
ablative
able, from Old French, compare modern Fr. habile or capable
ablution
abnormal compare anormal
aboard (Fr. à bord)
abolish, compare abolir
abomination
abortive
abound
abridge, Fr. abréger
absence
absolute, from Middle French, compare modern Fr. absolu
absorb (Fr. absorber)
abstain (Old Fr. abstenir)
abstinence
abstract
abstruse
absurd (Fr. absurde)
abundance (Old Fr. abundance)
abuse (Fr. abuser)
academic (Fr. académique)
academy, compare académie
Acadia (Fr. Acadie)
acceleration (Fr. accélération)
accent (Fr. accent)
accept (Fr accepter)
access (Fr. accès)
accession
accident
acclimate (Fr. acclimater)
accolade (Fr. accolade)
accommodation
accompany (Fr. accompagner)
accomplice (Fr. complice)
accomplish (Fr. accomplir)
accord
accost
account (Fr. compte)
accourtre
accoutrement (Fr. accoutrement)
accredit
accrue
accusation
accusative (Old Fr. accusatif)
accuse
accustom (Old Fr. acostumer, now accoutumer)
ace, compare as
acid, compare acide
acoustic, compare acoustique
aquisitive
acquit
acrobat (Fr. acrobate)
acrostic, compare acrostiche
action
activity, compare activité
adaptation
adhesive, compare adhésif or feminine form adhésive
adieu, which literally means "to God" (à Dieu), farewell
adjective, compare adjectif
administer (Fr. administrer)
admire, compare admirer
adolescence
adopt, compare adopter
adore, from Old French, compare modern Fr. adorer
adroit
advantage, compare avantage
adventure, from Old French, compare modern Fr. aventure
adverb, compare adverbe
adversary, from Old French, compare modern Fr. adversaire
advertisement, compare avertissement (warning)
advise, compare aviser (to assess [a situation])
advocate (noun), from Old French avocat - in modern French this means an attorney or lawyer
affair, from Old French, compare modern Fr. affaire (business)
affection
affiliation
affinity, compare affinité
affliction
affluence
age
agent provocateur
aggression, compare agression
à gogo, or a-go-go, in abundance
agree (Old Fr. agreer)
agreeable, compare agréable
aid (Old Fr. aide)
aim (Old Fr. esmar)
à la, in the style of...
alabaster, from Old French alabastre (>Latin> Greek> Ancient Egyptian a-labaste)
à la carte
alas, from Old French, compare modern Fr. hélas
alert, compare alerte
align, compare aligner
allocation
allure, look or air
almond, from Old French, compare modern Fr. amande; compare also Spanish almendra. //NOTE: I believe almond (and almendra) come from arabic
altar, (*this word is NOT from French. from autel
amateur
ambience
ambiguous, from ambigu
ambition
ambergris, from ambre gris, grey amber
ambulance
ameliorate
amnesty, compare amnistie
amorous, from Old French, compare modern Fr. amoureux
ample
amplitude
amusement
analyse, compare analyser
animal
anarchism
anarchist (Fr. anarchiste)
anatomy, compare anatomie
ancestor, from Old French, compare modern Fr. ancêtre
ancient, compare ancien
angle
Anglophobe, someone who fears or dislikes England or the English
anglophone, a speaker of English (Fr. anglophone)
anguish (from Old French anguisse, now angoisse)
anise
annals
annex, compare annexer
annihilation
announce
annoy, from Old French anoier, now ennuyer
annual (Fr. annuel)
annuity (Fr. annuité)
annular (Fr. annulaire)
anoint, compare oindre
anomie
antecedent, compare antécédent
anther, compare anthère
antique
apartment, compare appartement
apathy, compare apathie
aplomb
apostrophe
apparel, from Old French, compare modern Fr. appareil
application
appliqué
apprehend, compare appréhender
après-ski
apropos, compare à propos
arbitrage
arcade
archetype
area, from aire
arête, a mountainous ridge
argent (Fr. argent)
argue, from Old French, compare modern Fr. arguer
army, compare armée> desarmée, armement Le français langue de la guerre et de l'amour (French as language of war and love)
arrest, from O.Fr. arester
article
artificial, from artificiel
artist (Fr. artiste)
assembly (Fr. assembler)
assume, from assumer (in its old meaning : to suppose)
assurance
attack (Fr. attaque)
attaché
attorney (Fr. procureur)
attitude
aubergine, British name for eggplant
au naturel
aunt (Old Fr. ante)
authority (Fr. autorité)
avalanche
avenue (Fr. avenue)
average (Fr. moyenne)
averment
aversion (Fr. aversion)
avert
aviation (Fr. aviation)
avid (Fr. avide)
avocet
avoid (Old Fr. evuider)
avoirdupois
avouch
avow (Fr. aveu)
axiom (Fr. axiome)
aye-aye
azimuth (from Old French, from Arabic as-sumut)
azure (Old Fr. azur, from Old Spanish azur, from Arabic, in turn from Persian)
B
bacon
baggage, from French bagage
ballet
band, from bande
bandeau, a type of headdress
banquet
barge
baroque
barrel (Fr. baril)
barren, from Old French
barricade
barrier
base
Baton Rouge, Bâton Rouge
battle (Old Fr. bataille)
bay, compare baie
bayonet, compare baïonnette
beagle (Fr. bagle)
beak, compare bec
Béarnaise, a type of sauce, named after a region in France (Béarn)
beau, a lover or a dandy
beauty (Old Fr. beauté)
beast (Old Fr. beste)
beaux arts, fine arts
beef (Fr. boeuf)
benefit (Fr. bénéfice)
beret, compare béret
bête noire
bicycle, compare bicyclette > vélo
bidet
bikini
billet
billet-doux, a love letter
binge, after a beer-festival in Binche, Belgium
biscuit
bistro
bivouac
bizarre
blank (Old Fr. blanc)
blanket, from Old French blanquette Blanquette de veau
blasé
bloc > blocage
blonde
boast
boil (Old Fr. boilir)
Boise
bomb
bombard (Fr. "bombarde")
bombe
bon appétit
bon mot
bonnet, from Old French, compare modern Fr. bonnet
bon-vivant
bon voyage
bon-bon (Fr. "bonbon")
bouillabaisse
boule
boulevard
bound (leap), from bond
bouquet
bourgeoisie
bracelet
bran, from Old French bran or bren
brandish, compare brandir
brasserie
brassiere, compare brassière, although the modern French for this is soutien-gorge
brave
bravery
bric-a-brac
brigade
brilliant, compare brillant
brioche
briquette
brochure, from brocher - to stitch
broderie anglaise, a type of embroidery
brunette
buckle, compare boucle
budget, from Old Fr. bougette (a little purse)
buffet
bullet, from boulette, although the modern French for this is balle
bureau
button, from bouton
C
cabal, compare cabale
cabaret
cache, compare cacher
cadet
café
cafetière
cagoule
cajole, compare cajoler
calque
camaraderie
camouflage
camp
campaign, compare campagne
canapé
canard, aeronautical term
cancel, from canceller, evolution of chanceler (1293) (to cross out)
capacity
cape, compare cap, land jutting into the sea, as in Cape Horn
captain
car (Norman-Fr. carre)
card (Fr. carte)
career (Fr. carrière)
casserole
cassette
castle (Old North Fr. castel)
castor
casual (Old Fr. casuel)
casuist, compare casuiste
cataclysm
catalogue
catch
category
caterpillar
catholic
cattle
cause
cavalry, compare cavalerie
celebrate, from célébrer
cement (Old Fr. ciment)
cense, compare encenser
censer (Old Fr. censier)
centime (Fr. centime)
centre (Old Fr. centre)
chaise longue or sometimes chaise lounge
chalet
chalice, from calice
chance
change
character, from caractère
chase, compare chasse
château, compare castle
chatelaine
chattel
chauffeur
chauvinism
cheat (Old Fr. escheat)
check (Old Fr. eschec)
checkmate, compare échec et mat
cheer (Old Fr. chiere)
chef compare chief
chemise
chemist, from chimiste
cheque
cherish (Old Fr. chériss-)
cherry (Old North Fr. cherise)
cheval de frise, a military term
cheval-glass, from cheval - horse
chief (Old Fr. chief, compare chef)
chieftain (Old Fr. chevetain, compare chief)
chiffon
chivalry
cinema, compare cinéma
city (Old Fr. cite)
claim (Old Fr. clamer)
clairvoyance
clarinet, compare clarinette
classic
cliché
cloche, a kind of hat
closet, from Old French closet
Coeur d'Alene
coiffeuse
coin (Old Fr. coigne)
collage
collar, from collier, from cou (neck)
colonel, compare modern Fr. colonel
combustible
comedian and comedienne, compare comédien and comédienne
comic, from comique (funny)
commandant, commanding officer
commendation
commode
common
communion
communiqué
communism (Fr. communisme)
community, from Old Fr. comunalté, modern Fr. communauté
company (milit.), from compagnie
competent
competitor
complete
comrade, from camarade
concede, from concéder
congratulations
connoisseur
conscience
convenient, from covenant, convenable
cordon
cormorant, compare cormoran
cornet
corniche
corporal Old.Fr. corporal
corps
corset
costume
cotton (Old Fr. 'coton')
council
count
county (Old Fr. cunte)
countenance (Old Fr. : continere, Modern French : contenance)
counter
counterfeit, from Old French, compare modern Fr. contrefaire
country (Old Fr. cuntree)
coup
coup d'état
coup de grâce
couple
coupon
courage (Old Fr. corage)
courageous
courgette, in the UK, but called zucchini in the US
courier
course
court
courtesy
couscous
cousin (Old Fr. cosin)
couture
couturier
cover (Old Fr. covrir)
crème brûlée
crème caramel
crème de menthe
crêpe crêperie
Croissant - Croissanterie
croupier
crouton, from the diminutive form of the old French word, Croust, (later to come into modern French as the word croûte), meaning Crust.
crown, from couronne
crust, from Croûte, or Crust, in French.
cry (Old Fr. crier)
cuisine
cul-de-sac
culotte
cult (Fr. culte)
culture (Fr. culture)
curfew (Fr. couvre-feu)
custom, from Old French, compare modern Fr. coutume
D
dais, from Old French deis
dalmatic (Old Fr. dalmatique)
dame
damage (Old Fr. damage)
damn (Fr. damner)
debt (Old Fr. dete)
déclassé
décolletage
décor or decor
découpage
defamation, from diffamation
default, from Old French, compare modern Fr. défaut
defeat (Fr. "défaite")
déjà vu
de luxe or deluxe
demand
demi-monde
démodé
denouement
dépanneur
department
deploy, from Old French, compare modern Fr. déployer
depot
derail, compare dérailler
derive (Fr. "dérive")
derogation (Fr. dérogation)
derrière
descend (Old Fr. descendre)
desert (Old Fr. desert)
Des Moines (Fr. des moines of the monks)
dessert
detachment (Fr. détachement)
detail (Fr. détail)
detain (Old Fr. detenir)
détente
determine
detonation
detriment
Detroit (Fr. détroit = strait)
deuce, from deux (two)
development or develop
deviation
device (Old Fr. devis)
devise
devoid
devotion
devour (Old Fr. devorer)
devout (Old Fr. devot)
diabolical
diadem
diamanté
diet
different
digestion
dignity (Old Fr. dignete)
dilate
diligence
dime (Old Fr. disme, modern French "dîme", from "dix", ten)
diplomacy, compare diplomatie
direction (Fr. direction)
disadvantage
disappoint (Fr. desappointer)
disarm (Old Fr. desarmer)
discothèque or discotheque, thus disco
discover (Old Fr. descovrir)
disguise (Old Fr. desguisier)
disport (Old Fr. desporter, modern Fr. "déporter")
diverse
divinity
division
Dixie (possibly from Fr. dix ten)
double (Old Fr. duble)
doubt (Old Fr. douter)
douche, from French, meaning shower
dozen, from Old French, compare modern Fr. douzaine
dress (Old Fr. dresser)
due (Old Fr. deu)
during (Old Fr. durer, compare endure)
duty (Anglo-Fr. duete from Old Fr. deu)
duvet
E
eager, from Old French aigre
eagle, from Old French, compare modern Fr. aigle
easy, from Old French, compare modern Fr. aisé
echelon, compare échelon
éclair
ecstasy, from Old French, compare modern Fr. extase
eloquence, compare éloquence
emigré
emir from Fr. emir, colloquial pronunciation of Ar. amir "commander"
emperor (Old Fr. emperere)
empire
emplacement
employ (Old Fr. employer)
empress
enclave
encore
encourage, from Old French, compare modern Fr. encourager
endive
endue
endure (Old Fr. endurer)
endurance
enfranchise
enemy (Old Fr. enemi)
energy (Fr. énergie)
engage, compare engager
enjoy (Old Fr. enjoir)
enmity, from Old French, compare modern Fr. inimitié
ennui
enrage, compare enrager
enrich, compare enrichir
ensemble
en suite
ensure, from 'assurer
entente
enter, compare entrer
entomb, from Old French, compare modern Fr. entomber
entrant
entrée (but is first part of the meal in French)
entrepreneur (Fr. from entreprendre undertake)
envelope, compare enveloppe
environ, from Old French, compare modern Fr. environs
environment or environmental
envisage, compare envisager
envoy, compare envoyé
envy, compare envier
epaulet or epaulette, compare épaulette
épée
ephebe, from éphèbe
ephemeral, from "éphémère
epic, from épique
epicurean, from épicurien
epidemic, from épidémie
epilogue
episcopal
episode
epithet, from épithète
épris
equal, from égal
equality, from Old French, compare modern Fr. égalité
equation
equilibrate, from équilibrer
equipage, compare équipage
équipe
equipment, from équipement
equitable
equity, from équité
eradicate, compare éradiquer
erase, from araser
erect, from ériger (to build)
ermine
erode, compare éroder
escapade
escargots
escarpment
essence
establish (Old Fr. establisse)
estate (Old Fr. estat)
ether
etiquette, étiquette
Eucharist (Old Fr. eucariste)
European, compare européen
evangelist, compare évangéliste
evaporation, compare évaporation
evasion, compare évasion
example
exclamation
exhibition (Old Fr. exhibicion)
expire, compare expirer
exploit, compare exploiter
exposé or expose
extraction (Fr. extraction)
extraordinaire
extravagance
F
fabric, compare fabrique
fabulous
face
facile
factor
faience, compare faïence
failure
false
family
fanfare
fantastic
fantasy, compare fantaisie
farce
farm (Old Fr. ferme)
fashion, from Old French façon
fatal
fatigue
fault (Old Fr. faute)
faux pas
feasible
feast (Old Fr. feste)
feint, compare feinte
felicity, from Old French, compare modern Fr. félicité
felon, from Old French, compare modern Fr. félon
female (Old Fr. femelle)
feminine, compare féminin
fertility, compare fertilité
figure
fiancé
fierce
fillet, compare filet
film
film noir
final
finance
fine (Old Fr. fin)
flageolet
flambé tarte flambée
flan
flèche
fleur-de-lis
flexible
flirt, from fleuretter, conter fleurette
floret, from Old French, compare modern Fr. fleurette
florin
floss
flourish (Old Fr. floriss, compare flower)
flower (Old Fr. fleur)
fluid, compare fluide
flux
foliage (Fr. feuillage)
folly (Old Fr. folie)
fondant
font (Fr. fonte)
fool (Old Fr. fol)
force majeure
fork, from fourche and diminutive fourchette
foreign (Old Fr. forain)
forest (Old Fr. forest)
fortune
found (Old Fr. founder)
fountain from O.Fr. fontaine, still used in modern french.
foyer
fracas
fraction, from Old French, compare modern Fr. fraction
franchise
francophone, a speaker of French (Fr. francophone)
frappé
frigate, compare frégate
frisson
fritter, compare friture
frontier
fruit
function (Old Fr. function)
fund
fuselage
fusible
fusion
futile
future (Old Fr. futur)
G
gabardine
gaffe
gain, from M.Fr. gain, (O.Fr. gaaigne)
gallant, compare galant
gallop, from galop
galvanize
ganache
gangrene
gangue
garage
garter, from Old French, compare modern Fr. jarretière
gasket
gateau
gauche
gay (Old Fr. gai)
gel
gelatin or gelatine, from gélatine
gem, from gemme
general
generic
generosity
generous
gender, from genre
genial
genius, from génie
gent
gentle, from Old Fr. gentil (both noble and sweet)
genteel
gently, from gentiment
gesticulation
gesture, from geste (movement)
giant
gigantism
gigolo
gleet (Old Fr. glette)
glissade
globe (Fr. globe)
global
goblet, from Old Fr. gobelet (a deep cup)
gondolier
gorge
gorgeous
gouache
gourmet
govern, governance, government, governor
grace
gracious, from Old French, compare modern Fr. gracieux
grammar, from Old French, compare modern Fr. grammaire
grand
grant
gratin
grief
group
gruel, from gruau
guard, from garde
guide
guild, from guilde
guillotine
gulf, from Old French, compare modern Fr. golfe
H
hangar
harlequin, from Arlequin, a character from the Italian comedy
haste, from OF. (Compare contemporary French hâte)
haute couture high sewing
hazard (Old Fr. hasard)
Hollandaise
honour or honor, Old French, compare modern Fr. honneur
hors d'œuvre
hospital (Fr. hôpital)
host, compare with "hôte", or, in the meaning of an army, with Old Fr. "ost”
hostage
hotel, compare hôtel
huge (Old Fr. ahuge)
humanity (Old Fr. humanité)
I
illustration
ignore
ignorance
ignorant
imagine
imaginative
immediate
imbecile, compare imbécile
indictment
infant
influence
influx
inform
information (Old Fr. information)
infrastructure
infusion
ingénue
injustice (from injustice)
ink (Old Fr. enque)
insurance, from assurance
insurgent, from insurgé
insurmountable, from insurmontable
insurrection
intact
integer, from entier, intègre
integrate, from intégrer
integrity
integrant
intellect or intellectual
intelligence
intention
intercession
interchange
intercourse
interdict
interest
interfere
interlace
intense
intrinsic, compare intrinsèque
ivory, from Old French, compare modern Fr. ivoire
J
jack, Old Fr. jaque or jacque, a garment, from Jacques, general nickname for peasants who used to wear this garment (see jacket)
jacket, Old Fr. jaquette, diminutive form of jaque
jade
j'adoube
jargon
jelly
je ne sais quoi
jet
jetty
jew, from Old French giu
jewel, from joyau
joie de vivre
join, from joindre
joint
journey (Old Fr. journée)
judge, from juge , jugement,
juggle, from jongler
juggler
just, from Old French
justice, from Old French, compare modern Fr. justice
K
kepi, compare képi
kiosk, (Fr. kiosque)
kermess or kirmess (Fr. kermesse)
kilo
kilogram (Fr. kilogramme)
kilometre (Fr. kilomètre)
L
label
labour or labor, compare labourer
lace
lackey, compare laquais
laissez-faire
laissez-passer
lamé
lancer
lancet
language (Old Fr. langage)
L'Anse aux Meadows (Fr. L'anse aux méduses : Jellyfish Cove)
large
largess
latrine
launder
laundry
laurel
lave
laver (Fr. laveoir)
lay, literary sense
leisure, from Old French, compare modern Fr. loisir
liaison
lias
libel, from Old Fr. un libelle (short memorandum)
liberal
liberty (from Old Fr . liberté)
library
libre
license
licorice
lieu
lieutenant
limousine
lingerie
liquor, from liqueur
litre
lorgnette
Louisiana (Fr. Louisiane land of Louis XIV)
Louisville, Louisville (named after Louis XVI)
loupe
love (as used in tennis)
lozenge, from Old French, compare modern Fr. losange
luminary, compare luminaire
lustre or luster
M
machine
madam (Old Fr. ma dame)
mail (Old Fr. male)
Maine (name of a former French province)
maintain (Old Fr. maintenir)
maintenance
maisonette, compare maisonnette
majesty (Fr. majesté)
majority (Fr. majorité)
maladroit
male (Old Fr. masle)
malinger (Fr. malingre)
mangetout
manger
mannequin
manœuvre or manœuver, compare manœuvre
maquis
mardi gras
marine, compare marin
marionette (Fr. marionnette)
marmalade, compare marmelade
marriage, compare mariage
marshal, from Old French, compare modern Fr. maréchal
marvel
marvelous, from merveilleux
mascot
masculine
mask, compare masque
masque
mass (Old Fr. masse)
massacre, compare massacrer
massage
masseur
masseuse
mathematics
matron
mattress, from Old French, compare modern Fr. matelas
May, compare mai
Mayday, from m'aider which means literally to help me
medal, compare médaille
mediocre, compare médiocre
mêlée
memory,
ménage à trois
mercy (Old Fr. mercit, merci)
meridian
merit
merle
merlin (from Old Fr. esmerillon via Anglo-Fr. merilun)
merlon
meringue
mésalliance
mesclun
mess
message
messenger
Messiah (Fr. Messie)
messianic (Fr. messianique)
metro (Fr. métro)
military
mille-feuille
Mille Lacs (USA), means thousand lakes
milliard (Fr. milliard)
million
millionaire (Fr. millionnaire)
miniature
mine or mining, as in a coal mine
minister (Old Fr. ministre)
minstrel
mitten, compare mitaine
modern
modify
module
moil
moist (Old Fr. moiste, now "moîte")
moment (Old Fr. moment)
monad
monarch
monarchism
monarchy (from monarchie)
monetary
money (Old Fr moneie)
monition
monster (Fr. monstre)
monobloc
monocle
monogamy (Fr. monogamie)
monogram
monolith
monologue (Fr. monologue)
montage
morgue
mortality
mosaic (Fr. mosaïque)
motif
mot juste
mount
mousse
moustache or mustache, compare moustache
move (Old Fr. moveir)
movement
muffle (Old Fr. moufle)
mule, as a type of footwear
murder (Old Fr. murdre)
muscle
mustard, from Old French, compare modern Fr. moutarde
mutton
mystery (Old Fr. mistere)
mystic
mystique
N
nacelle
naïve
née or nee, feminine past participle of naître to be born
Nez perce (Fr. Nez percés = Pierced noses)
nice (Old Fr. nice)
niche
nicotine, from Jean Nicot
niece (Fr. nièce)
noble
noblesse oblige
noise (Old Fr. noise)
nonpareil
note
notice
nouveau
nouveau riche
nouveau roman
nouvelle cuisine
nouvelle vague
novel
novelty
november
novice (Old Fr. novice)
nuance
nuisance
null
nullity (Fr. nullité)
number (Old Fr. nombre)
numerator
numismatic
nun (Old Fr. nonne)
nurse
nurture
nutrition (Fr. nutrition)
nutritive
nymph (Old Fr. nimphe)
O
object, from objet
oboe (via Italian), from French "haut bois”
ocean, from O.Fr. occean
œuvre
offend
offense (Fr. offense)
office
officer (Old Fr. officier)
official
ogive (Fr. ogive)
ogre
oil (Old Fr. oile)
ointment (Old Fr. oignement)
olive
omelette, compare omelette
omission
omnibus
opacity
opal
operation
opinion (Old Fr. opinion)
opportune
opportunism (Fr.opportunisme)
opportunity
oppose (Old Fr. opposer)
opposite
opposition (Old Fr. oposicion)
oppress (Old Fr. oppresser)
optative (Fr. optatif)
optician
optimism (Fr. optimisme)
option
oracle (Old Fr. oracle)
orange (Old Fr. orenge)
ordain (Old Fr. ordener)
order (Old Fr. ordre)
organic
organism
organise
orgy
origin
original
ormolu
ornament
ornithopter
orpine
orthography, from Old French, compare modern Fr. orthographe
oubliette
P
pair
palace (Old Fr. palais)
palm (Old Fr. palme)
pansy (Fr. pensée)
pant (Old Fr. pantaisier)
pantaloon (Fr. pantalon)
panther (Old Fr. pantère)
papier mâché
parade
paragon
parent
parentage
parfait
parley
parliament
part (Old Fr. part)
partial (Old Fr. parcial, compare modern Fr. partial)
partisan
partition
pass (Old Fr. passer)
passion
passé
passive
passport
paste
pastel
pastiche
pastille
pastor
pasture
pasturage
pasty
pastry
patch
pâté
patent
paternity
pathetic
pathology
patience (Old Fr. pacience)
patient
patisserie
pause (Old Fr. pause)
pawn (Old Fr. pan, pant)
peace (Old Fr. pais)
peach
pear
pell-mell (Fr. pêle-mêle)
pelt (Old Fr. pelete)
pen (Old Fr. penne)
penal
pencil
pension
pensive
penthouse (Old Fr. apentis)
people (Old Fr. peupel)
perchance
perceiver
perch (Old Fr. perche)
perdition
perfect
perfection
perfume, from Middle French, "parfum"
person (Old Fr. persone)
petty (Old Fr. petit)
petulant, compare pétulant
phial
philanthropic (Fr. philanthropique)
philately (Fr. philatélie)
philharmonic
philosophy (Old Fr. filosofie)
philtre (Fr. philtre)
physics (Fr. physique)
phantom (Fr. fantôme)
phlebotomy
phlegm
piece (Old Fr. piece)
pied à terre
piety (Old Fr. piete)
pipe
pipette
piquant
piqué
pirouette
piss (Old Fr. pisser, still used today in slang)
pistol
pistole
plain (Old Fr. plain)
plant
plaque
plash
plastic (Fr. plastique)
plat du jour
plate
plateau
platform (Fr. plateforme)
platoon (Fr. peloton)
platter
plebiscite (Fr. plébiscite)
plea (Old Fr. plait)
please (Fr. plaire)
pleasant (Old Fr. plaisant)
pleasantry (Old Fr. plaisanterie)
pleasure (Old Fr. plesir, modern French "plaisir")
plead
pledge (Old Fr. plege)
plié
plumage
plumb
plumber (Old Fr. plommier)
plume, Wiktionary:nom de plume
plural (Old Fr. pluriel)
plurality
plus ça change
plush
pneumatic
poach, as in cookery, from Old French, compare modern Fr. pocher
poem (Fr. poème)
poesy (Old Fr. poesie)
poetic (Fr. poétique)
pole
policy, from police (as a contract)
poor (Old Fr. poure, compare poverty)
populace (Fr. populace)
popular
pork
porous
porpoise
port (Old Fr. port)
portage
porter
portion
portmanteau
pose, compare poser
position (Old Fr. position)
positive (Old Fr. positif)
posology
possess (Old Fr. possesser, modern Fr. posséder)
possibility
possible (Fr. possible)
post, compare poste
poultry
poutine
poverty (O.Fr. poverte, compare poor)
power (Old Fr. poeir)
practical (Old Fr. practique)
practise
precious
pregnant
prejudice
premier (Fr. = first)
premiere (Fr. première)
prepare
prerogative
presence
present
president
prêt-à-porter
pretend
pretense
price (Old Fr. pris)
prince (Old Fr. prince)
princess
princical
principality (Old Fr. principalité)
principle
print
prison (Old Fr. prisoun)
prize compare price
proof (Old Fr. proeve)
pronoun (Fr. pronom)
pronounce
pronunciation
proper (Old Fr. propre)
property
prophecy (Old Fr. profecie)
prophesy
proportion (Old Fr. proportion)
propose, from proposer
proposition (Old Fr. proposition)
prorogue
prosaic
prose (Old Fr. prose)
prosecution
protection (Old Fr. protection)
protein
protestation
protocol (Old Fr. prothocole)
proud (Old Fr. prud)
province (Old Fr. province)
pulley
punish (Old Fr. puniss-)
pure (Old Fr. pur)
purify (Old Fr. purifier)
purpose (Old Fr. porpos)
putty (Modern Fr. potée)
Q
qualify
quality
quantity
quarter
quartet
quartier
quatrain
quatrefoil
quay
queasy
Québécois
quest
question
questionnaire
queue
quiche
quiet
quilt
quintessence
quintuple
quit
quittance
quotidian
R
rabble (Fr. râble)
raconteur
rage (Old Fr. raige)
raison d'être
rare (Old Fr. rere)
rarefy
rarity
ratatouille
rat
rate
ration
rave
real (O.Fr. reel)
realm
reason (Old Fr. raison)
reasonable
rebound
receipt, from un reçu, un récépissé
receive (Old Fr. receivre, modern Fr. recevoir)
reception
receptor
recitation
recite
record
reclaim
recognize
recognizance
recoil
recollection
Récollet
reconnoitre, compare reconnaître
record
recorder (Old Fr. recordeur)
recover
recovery
recreation
recruit
rector
rectory
regret, from Old French, compare modern Fr. regretter
reign, from régnier
remain (Old. Fr. remaindre)
remark
remarkable
rendezvous
reservoir
responsible
rest
restaurant
restaurateur
resume
résumé
rime
riposte
risqué
rock (Old Fr. ro(c) que)
role (Fr. rôle, compare roll)
roll (Old Fr. rolle)
Roman
romantic
rotisserie
rouge
roué
roulette
round
roundel
rouse
rout (Old Fr. route)
route
routine
roux
royal (Old Fr. roial)
royalty
rubble
rubric
rush (Old Fr. ruser)
ruse
russet
rut
S
sabot
sabotage
saboteur
sachet
sacrament, compare sacrement
Saint Louis (named for Louis IX)
salon
saloon, compare salon
sample (Old Fr. essample)
satin
sauce (Old Fr. sauce)
sauté
savage (Old Fr. sauvage)
savant
savate
save (Anglo-fr. sa(u) ver, Old Fr. salver)
savoir faire
scepter
scholar
science
screw (Old Fr. escroue)
seal (Old Fr. seel)
séance
search (Old Fr. cerchier)
season (Old Fr. saison)
second (Old Fr. second)
sensitive
sentence (Old Fr. sentence)
sentiment (Old Fr. sentement)
sentinel
sepal
separable
separation
septillion (from sept seven)
sepulchre
sepulchral
sequester
serf (Old Fr. serf)
sergeant or serjeant, from Old French, compare modern Fr. sergent
servant
several (from Old Fr. seperalis via Anglo-Fr. several)
sex
shop (Old Fr. eschoppe)
similar (Fr. similaire)
simple (Old Fr. simple)
skate (from Old Fr. eschace via Dutch schaats)
slice (Old Fr. esclis)
slot (Old Fr. esclot)
snye
sober (Old Fr. sobre)
sobriety
sobriquet
sociable (Fr. sociable)
social (Fr. social)
socialism (Fr. socialisme)
society (Fr. société)
socket
soil (Old Fr. soil)
soiree (Fr. soirée)
sojourn (Old Fr. sojorn)
solder
sole
solemnize
solicit (Old Fr. solliciter)
solicitor (Old Fr. solliciteur)
solid
solidarity (Fr. solidarité)
soldier
sombre (Fr. sombre)
sort (Old Fr. sorte)
soufflé
sound (Old Fr. son)
soupçon
sovereign
sovereignist (Fr. souverainiste)
special
spirit (Old Fr. esprit)
sport (Old Fr. desport)
stage (Old Fr. estage)
state
stay
stereotype
story (Old Fr. estorie)
stray
stress (Old Fr. estresse)
structure (Old Fr. structure)
study
stuff (Old Fr. estoffe, modern Fr. étoffe)
stupid
sturgeon, from esturgeon
subject, from sujet
subtle
subtlety
succession
successor
succumb
succour
suffer
sufficient
suit, from Old Fr. seoir
suitor
superior
superlative
support (Old Fr. supporter)
suppose (Old Fr. supposer)
sure (Old Fr. sur, seur)
surety (Old Fr. seurté)
surface
surgeon
surgery
surgical
surmise
surmount
surname (Old Fr. surnom)
surpass
surplus
surprise
surrender (Old Fr. surrendre)
surrealism (Fr. surréalisme)
suspend
suspense (Fr. suspens)
suspension
sustain
system
T
tablature
table
tableau
tablet
tailor (Old Fr. tailleor)
talc
tally
talon
tambour
tamp
tampon
tapestry
tapis
target
tariff (Fr. tarif)
tarot
tarnish (Fr. ternir)
Tartar (Old Fr. Tartare)
tart, as in cookery, compare tarte
task (from Old Fr. tasche via Norman Fr. tasque)
taste (Old Fr. tast)
taupe
tax (Old Fr. taxer)
taximeter (Fr. taximètre)
teat (Old Fr. tete)
telegraph (Fr. télégraphe)
temporal (Old Fr. temporel)
temporize
tempt (Old Fr. tempter)
tenant
tench (Old Fr. tenche)
tend (Old Fr. tend)
tender
tendon (Fr. tendon)
tennis (Old Fr. Tenez, to start the game)
tent
terrace, from terrasse
terrible
terror (Old Fr. terreur)
terrorism (first used during French Revolution)
theatre
theology (Old Fr. theologie)
theorem (Fr. théorème)
therapeutics (Fr. thérapeutique)
thermal
toilet, compare toilette
tonne
torrid
tortuous
torture
touch (Old Fr. touchier)
toupée
tout de suite or toot sweet, compare tout de suite
transfer
transparent
trial
triangle
tribe (Old Fr. tribu)
tribunal
trompe l'œil
troop, from troupe
troupe
try (Old Fr. trier)
tuff
tube
tyrant (from Fr. tyran, through Latin tyrannus and Greek turannos)
U
unique
unity
universal
university
universe
urgent
use
usurp
usurper
V
vague
vast (Fr. vaste, compare waste)
veal (Old Fr. veel)
velcro, from velours, velvet, and crochet, hook
ventre à terre
verdigris, from vert de gris, the colour of the copper oxide
verdict
Vermont (from les verts monts the green mountains)
versatile
verse
version
vert
vertical
very (Old Fr. verai)
vesper
vest
view (Old Fr. veue)
victory
vigour
vile
villain (Old Fr. villain)
village (Old Fr. village)
vintage
viol (Old Fr. viel(l) e)
violence (Old Fr. violence)
violent
vin, vin blanc, vin rouge, vin rosé, etc
vintage
virgin (Old Fr. virgine)
virginal
virtue
vis-a-vis
visible
viscount
vogue
voice
voilà
void
volant
volatile
volley
volte-face
voluble
volume (Old Fr. volume)
voluntary
volunteer
voluptuous
volute
voodoo (from a West African language)
voucher
voyage (Old Fr. veiage)
voyeur
W
Many English words imported from French that start with a "w" have a "g" in French. This is because in old French the "g" was pronounced as a modern "w".
wage (Old Fr. gage)
wager, from gager.
war, from guerre.
wardrobe, from Garde-Robe, meaning the keep a dress, or clothes.
warrant, from garantie.
waste (Old Fr. wast, compare vast)
Wisconsin, from Ouisconsin, a French variant of a Native American word

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