escapade

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getaway, short trip, outing, lapse, misadventure
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/ɛs.ka.pad/
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A short break from routine or duty, with older uses for a wayward act and a horse's sudden refusal of control.
Practice using escapade in conversation until it feels natural

Examples

  • Ils ont transformé une simple promenade en escapade mémorable.
    They turned a simple walk into a memorable adventure.
  • Le cheval fit une escapade au moment d'entrer en piste.
    The horse made a sudden swerve as it entered the arena.
  • Ses escapades nocturnes inquiétaient ses parents.
    His nighttime misadventures worried his parents.
  • Leur escapade en montagne a duré trois jours.
    Their mountain getaway lasted three days.
  • Cette jument est sujette aux escapades quand elle s'effraie.
    This mare is prone to sudden bolts when she is frightened.

Similar words

dérobade
soubresaut
fugue
ruade
folie
écartade
évasion
écart
écart
frasque

Meanings

Short getaway from routine

noun
travel
neutral
A brief outing or trip that breaks from ordinary duties and brings a little pleasure or novelty.

Examples

  • Nous avons fait une escapade à la campagne ce week-end.
    We took a short getaway to the countryside this weekend.
  • Leur escapade en montagne a duré trois jours.
    Their mountain getaway lasted three days.
  • Elle s'est offert une escapade à Rome après ses examens.
    She treated herself to a short trip to Rome after her exams.
  • Une escapade en forêt leur a changé les idées.
    A forest outing cleared their heads.
  • Ils ont transformé une simple promenade en escapade mémorable.
    They turned a simple walk into a memorable adventure.

Similar words

échappée
sortie
virée
excursion
balade
évasion
fugue
parenthèse

Breach of duty or propriety

noun
behavior
neutral
A momentary departure from expected behavior, duty, or good sense, often treated as a small folly rather than a serious offence.

Examples

  • Ses escapades nocturnes inquiétaient ses parents.
    His nighttime misadventures worried his parents.
  • Cette escapade hors du règlement lui a valu un avertissement.
    That breach of the rules earned him a warning.
  • Après une nouvelle escapade, il a promis de respecter les consignes.
    After another lapse, he promised to follow the instructions.
  • On pardonna cette escapade de jeunesse.
    That youthful folly was forgiven.
  • Les journaux racontaient ses escapades mondaines.
    The newspapers recounted his society adventures.

Similar words

frasque
fredaine
écart
incartade
folie
écartade
fugue
imprudence

Horse bolting aside

noun
equestrian
archaic
An old equestrian term for a horse's sudden, disobedient movement away from control.

Examples

  • Le cheval fit une escapade au moment d'entrer en piste.
    The horse made a sudden swerve as it entered the arena.
  • Une escapade brusque a désarçonné le cavalier.
    A sudden bolt unseated the rider.
  • Le dresseur corrigea l'escapade sans brutalité.
    The trainer corrected the disobedient swerve without brutality.
  • Cette jument est sujette aux escapades quand elle s'effraie.
    This mare is prone to sudden bolts when she is frightened.
  • L'escapade du cheval interrompit la leçon.
    The horse's bolt interrupted the lesson.

Similar words

écart
embardée
ruade
dérobade
écartade
soubresaut

Etymology

Attested in the sixteenth century, borrowed from Old Spanish escapada, from escapar meaning to escape, and ultimately from Vulgar Latin excappare.

FAQ

What does escapade mean in French?

Escapade usually means a short getaway or outing that breaks from routine, and it can also mean a mild lapse in conduct.

Is escapade a French noun?

Yes. Escapade is a feminine French noun, so common phrases include une escapade and faire une escapade.

Can escapade mean an escape from prison?

Not normally. A prison escape is usually évasion or fuite, while escapade suggests a short outing or a milder breach.

What are synonyms of escapade?

For a getaway, close words include échappée, sortie, virée, and excursion. For a lapse, frasque and incartade fit better.

Where does escapade come from?

Escapade was borrowed from Old Spanish escapada, from escapar, meaning to escape.

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