Use velours for the plush fabric that has a short dense pile, especially when talking about clothing, upholstery or decorative items.
Use velours for the plush fabric that has a short dense pile, especially when talking about clothing, upholstery or decorative items.
| Incorrect | Correct |
| Il a un velours très doux. | Il porte un tissu en velours très doux. |
| Le velours est un type de cuir. | Le velours est un tissu, pas du cuir. |
| Je veux acheter du velours pour mon chien. | Je veux acheter un collier en velours pour mon chien. |
| Le velours est une attitude. | Le velours, dans le sens de tissu, n’est pas une attitude. |
Use velours to describe a smooth, soothing manner of speaking or behaving, similar to the softness of the fabric.
| Incorrect | Correct |
| Il a un velours très dur. | Il a une attitude douce, pas dure. |
| Sa voix est velours. | Sa voix est douce comme du velours. |
| Le velours de son discours était agressif. | Le ton de son discours était agressif. |
| Elle a un velours de caractère. | Elle a un caractère doux. |
Use velours for the plush fabric or to describe a smooth, soothing manner; choose the appropriate sense from context.
Confusing the fabric sense with the figurative sense, such as saying Il a un velours for a person’s demeanor.
From Old French velor, an alteration of velos, itself derived from velu ‘hairy’ + the suffix ‑os ‘‑ous’. The term later came to denote the plush fabric.
What does velours mean in French?
Velours can refer to a plush fabric with a short pile or, figuratively, to a gentle, soothing manner.
How is velours used to describe a person's speech?
When someone's speech is described as velours, it means their voice is smooth and comforting, like the texture of the fabric.
Can velours be used for clothing?
Yes, velours is commonly used for garments such as jackets, dresses, and coats because of its soft, luxurious feel.
Is velours ever used in interior design?
Absolutely. Velours curtains, sofas, and upholstery add a rich, warm look to a room.
What is the origin of the word velours?
It comes from Old French velor, an alteration of velos, which traces back to velu ‘hairy’ plus the suffix ‑os.
What is a common mistake when using velours?
A frequent error is mixing the fabric sense with the figurative sense, for example saying Il a un velours to describe someone's demeanor.
Are there any English equivalents for velours?
In English, the fabric sense translates to velvet, while the figurative sense can be rendered as gentle manner.
What are some synonyms for the fabric sense of velours?
Synonyms include veloutine, velours de soie, velours de coton, tissu velouté, velours épais, and velours doux.
What are opposite terms for the figurative sense of velours?
Opposites include rudesse and grossièreté, which convey a harsh or blunt manner.
How can I correctly describe a soft fabric using velours?
Say Le velours de ce canapé est d'un noir profond to highlight the fabric’s softness and color.