éclat

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shine, brightness, luster, shard, splinter
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/e.kla/
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Brightness, broken fragments, sudden bursts of sound or feeling, and the brilliance of prestige all meet in the idea of something that strikes the senses or public attention.
Practice using éclat in conversation until it feels natural

Examples

  • Un rayon a rendu à la soie son éclat naturel.
    A ray restored the silk’s natural sheen.
  • Ce coup d'éclat a surpris toute la presse.
    This dramatic stroke surprised the whole press.
  • L'éclat de ses yeux trahissait sa joie.
    The sparkle in her eyes betrayed her joy.
  • La vitre a volé en éclats sous le choc.
    The window shattered into pieces under the impact.
  • Les couleurs de la fresque ont gardé leur éclat.
    The fresco’s colors kept their brightness.

Similar words

reflet
clameur
splendeur
explosion
tesson
détonation
esquille
panache
prestige
gloire

Meanings

Shine or brightness

noun
physical
neutral
A bright visual quality, from the gleam of light on a surface to the fresh glow of color, skin, or eyes.

Examples

  • L'éclat du diamant attirait tous les regards.
    The brilliance of the diamond drew every eye.
  • Les couleurs de la fresque ont gardé leur éclat.
    The fresco’s colors kept their brightness.
  • Un rayon a rendu à la soie son éclat naturel.
    A ray restored the silk’s natural sheen.
  • La mer avait un éclat argenté au lever du soleil.
    The sea had a silvery glow at sunrise.
  • Ce vernis donne plus d'éclat au bois sombre.
    This varnish gives the dark wood more luster.
  • L'éclat de ses yeux trahissait sa joie.
    The sparkle in her eyes betrayed her joy.

Similar words

brillance
lueur
luminosité
reflet
scintillement
lustre

Shard or splinter

noun
physical
neutral
A piece broken or split from something larger, especially glass, stone, shell, metal, or a divided plant.

Examples

  • La vitre a volé en éclats sous le choc.
    The window shattered into pieces under the impact.
  • Un éclat de verre s'est logé dans sa main.
    A shard of glass lodged in his hand.
  • Les archéologues ont trouvé un éclat de silex retouché.
    The archaeologists found a retouched flint flake.
  • Un éclat d'obus a percé la porte.
    A shell splinter pierced the door.
  • Elle a ramassé les éclats de porcelaine avec prudence.
    She carefully picked up the porcelain fragments.
  • Le jardinier a replanté un éclat de racine.
    The gardener replanted a root division.

Similar words

fragment
morceau
débris
tesson
esquille
éclisse

Sudden burst or outburst

noun
sound
neutral
A sudden loud expression, sound, or scene, especially laughter, shouting, anger, thunder, or scandal.

Examples

  • Un éclat de rire a interrompu le discours.
    A burst of laughter interrupted the speech.
  • Ses éclats de voix réveillaient toute la maison.
    His outbursts of shouting woke the whole house.
  • L'éclat du tonnerre a fait trembler les vitres.
    The clap of thunder made the windows shake.
  • Elle a quitté la pièce après un éclat de colère.
    She left the room after an angry outburst.
  • Il redoutait de faire un éclat devant les invités.
    He dreaded causing a scene in front of the guests.
  • Des éclats de rire montaient de la cour.
    Bursts of laughter rose from the courtyard.

Similar words

bruit
cri
explosion
détonation
clameur
emportement

Splendor, prestige, or brilliant success

noun
social
formal
A striking brilliance in public effect, reputation, ceremony, style, or achievement.

Examples

  • La cérémonie a donné de l'éclat à la victoire.
    The ceremony lent brilliance to the victory.
  • Ses recherches ont ajouté un nouvel éclat à sa réputation.
    His research added new distinction to his reputation.
  • Le concert s'est achevé avec beaucoup d'éclat.
    The concert ended with great brilliance.
  • Ce coup d'éclat a surpris toute la presse.
    This dramatic stroke surprised the whole press.
  • La ville voulait rendre son ancien éclat au théâtre.
    The city wanted to restore the theater’s former splendor.
  • Il a défendu sa thèse avec éclat.
    He defended his thesis brilliantly.

Similar words

splendeur
prestige
gloire
renommée
brio
panache

Etymology

From Old French esclat, a deverbal noun from éclater. The earliest sense was a fragment split from something broken, with later senses developing through sudden noise, brightness, and public brilliance.

FAQ

What does éclat mean?

Éclat can mean shine or brightness, a broken fragment, a sudden burst such as laughter or anger, or public brilliance and prestige.

How is éclat pronounced?

Éclat is pronounced /e.kla/, with a clear é at the start and a silent final t.

Is éclat masculine or feminine?

Éclat is masculine in French, so it takes un éclat and l’éclat before the vowel.

What is the plural of éclat?

The regular plural is éclats, as in des éclats de verre or des éclats de rire.

What does éclat de rire mean?

Éclat de rire means a burst of laughter, not a shining laugh.

What does voler en éclats mean?

Voler en éclats means to shatter into pieces, literally or figuratively.

Is éclat related to éclater?

Yes. Éclat comes from éclater, and the family keeps ideas of bursting, splitting, noise, and brilliance.

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