List of English words of French origin (A–C)

A great number of words of French origin have entered the English language to the extent that many Latin words have come to the English language.

A

 * abaisse
 * abandon
 * abandonment
 * abase (Old Fr. abaissier)
 * abash (Old Fr. esbaïr)
 * abate (Old Fr. abatre, compare modern Fr. abattre)
 * abatement (Old Fr. abatement, compare modern Fr. abattement)
 * abatis
 * abattoir
 * abbatial
 * abbe
 * abbess
 * abbey (Anglo Fr. abbeie, from Old Fr. abaïe, compare modern Fr. abbaye)
 * abbreviation, (Fr. abréviation)
 * abdication
 * abet (Old Fr. abeter)
 * abeyance (Anglo Fr. abeiance, from Old Fr. abeance)
 * abhor (Fr. abhorrer)
 * ability (Old Fr. ableté, compare modern Fr. habileté with restoration of initial h of Latin habilitas)
 * abject
 * abjection
 * abjuration
 * abjure (Fr. abjurer)
 * ablation (Fr. ablation)
 * ablative
 * able, from Old French, compare modern Fr. habile or capable
 * ablution
 * abnormal compare anormal
 * aboard (Middle Fr. à bord)
 * abolish, compare abolir
 * abolition
 * abominable
 * abomination
 * abound
 * abrasion
 * abrasive, Fr. abrasif, abrasive(fem.)
 * abridge, Fr. abréger
 * abrogation
 * abrupt
 * absence
 * absent
 * absinthe
 * absolute, from Middle French, compare modern Fr. absolu
 * absolution
 * absorb (Fr. absorber)
 * abstain (Old Fr. abstenir)
 * abstention
 * abstinence
 * abstinent
 * absurd
 * absurdity (Fr. absurdité)
 * abundance (Old Fr. abundance, modern Fr. abondance)
 * abundant
 * abuse (Fr. abuser)
 * abusive (Fr. abusif, abusive(fem.) )
 * abut (Old Fr. abouter)
 * abysmal (Old Fr. abisme)
 * academy, compare académie, from anc. Greek akademeia
 * Acadia (Fr. Acadie)
 * acceleration (Fr. accélération)
 * accent (Fr. accent)
 * accept (Fr. accepter)
 * acceptable
 * acceptance
 * access (Fr. accès)
 * accessible
 * accession
 * accident
 * acclamation
 * acclimate (Fr. acclimater)
 * accolade
 * accommodation
 * accompaniment (Fr. accompagnement)
 * accompany (Old Fr. acompaignier, modern Fr. accompagner)
 * accomplice (Old Fr. complice)
 * accomplish (Old Fr. acomplir, modern Fr. accomplir)
 * accord
 * accordance (Old Fr. accordance)
 * accost
 * accoucheur
 * account (Old Fr. acont)
 * accountant (Old Fr. acuntant)
 * accoutre or accouter
 * accoutrements
 * accredit
 * accreditation
 * accrue
 * accumulation
 * accusation
 * accusative (Old Fr. accusatif)
 * accuse
 * accustom (Old Fr. acostumer, modern Fr. accoutumer)
 * ace, (Old Fr. as)
 * acephalous, (Fr. acéphale)
 * acerbity, (Middle Fr. acerbité)
 * acetic, (Fr. acétique)
 * acetylene, (Fr. acétylène)
 * achieve, (Old Fr. achever)
 * achievement, (Fr. achèvement)
 * acid, (Fr. acide)
 * aconite, (Fr. aconit)
 * acoustic, (Fr. acoustique)
 * acquaint, (Old Fr. acointier)
 * acquaintance, (Old Fr. acointance)
 * acquiesce, (Middle Fr. acquiescer)
 * acquiescence, (Middle Fr. acquiescence)
 * acquire, (Old Fr. aquerre)
 * acquisition
 * acquit (Old Fr. acquitter)
 * acrimonious (Fr. acrimonieux)
 * acrimony (Fr. acrimonie)
 * acrobat (Fr. acrobate)
 * acrobatic (Fr. acrobatique)
 * acromegaly (Fr. acromégalie)
 * across (Anglo Fr. an cros)
 * act (Old Fr. acte)
 * action
 * activity, (Middle French activité)
 * actual, (Old French actuel)
 * acuity, (Middle French acuité)
 * adage
 * adapt, (Middle French adapter)
 * adaptation
 * addition
 * address
 * adhere
 * adherence
 * adhesion
 * adhesive, compare adhésif or feminine form adhésive
 * adieu, which literally means "to God" (à Dieu), farewell
 * adjective, compare adjectif
 * adjoin
 * adjourn (Old French ajourner)
 * adjudge (Old French ajugier, compare modern French adjuger)
 * adjust (Old French ajoster, compare modern French ajuster)
 * administer (Old French aministrer, compare modern French administrer)
 * administration
 * admirable
 * admiral (Old French amiral)
 * admiration
 * admire
 * admissible
 * admission
 * admonish (Old French amonester, compare modern French admonester)
 * admonition
 * adolescence
 * adolescent
 * adopt
 * adoption
 * adorable
 * adoration
 * adore
 * adorn (Old French aourner)
 * adornment (Old French aournement)
 * adroit
 * adulation
 * adultery (Old French avoutrie or aoulterie, compare modern Fr. adultère)
 * advance (Old French avancer)
 * advancement (Old French avancement)
 * advantage (Old French avantage)
 * advantageous
 * adventure, (Old French auenture, compare modern Fr. aventure)
 * adventurous, (Old French aventuros, compare modern Fr. aventureux)
 * adversary, (Anglo French adverser, from Old Fr. adversier, compare modern Fr. adversaire)
 * adverse (Old French avers, compare modern Fr. adverse)
 * adversity (Anglo French aduersite, from Old Fr. aversite, compare modern Fr. adversité)
 * advertisement, (French avertissement [warning])
 * advice, (Old French avis [opinion])
 * advise, (Old French aviser [give one's opinion])
 * advocacy, (Old French advocacie)
 * advocate (Old French avocat [attorney or lawyer])
 * aerobic (French aérobie)
 * aerodynamics (French aérodynamique)
 * aeronautics (French aéronautique)
 * aeroplane (French aéroplane)
 * affability (French affabilité)
 * affable
 * affair, (Anglo-Norman afere, from Old Fr. afaire or à faire, compare modern Fr. affaire)
 * affection
 * affiance (Old French afiancer)
 * affiliation
 * affinity, (Old French afinité, compare modern Fr. affinité)
 * affirm, (Old French afermer, compare modern Fr. affirmer)
 * affirmation
 * affirmative
 * affix (Middle French affixer, from Old Fr. afichier, compare modern Fr. afficher)
 * afflict
 * affliction
 * affluence
 * affluent
 * affront
 * afraid p.p. of afray (Anglo French afrayer, from Old Fr. esfreer, compare modern Fr. effrayer)
 * agate
 * age
 * agent provocateur
 * aggrandisement Fr. agrandissement
 * aggravation
 * aggression, compare agression
 * aggrieve, (Old Fr. agrever, compare modern Fr. aggraver)
 * agile
 * agility
 * à gogo, or a-go-go, in abundance
 * agrarian
 * agree (Old Fr. agreer, compare modern Fr. agréer ["to accept" or "to please"])
 * agreeable, compare modern Fr. agréable
 * agreeance (Old Fr. agreance)
 * agreement (Old Fr. agreement, compare modern Fr. agrément [authorization or amenity])
 * agronomy
 * ague
 * aid (Old Fr. aide)
 * aide-de-camp
 * aide-mémoire
 * aileron
 * aim (Old Fr. esmar)
 * air
 * aisle
 * à la, in the style of...
 * alabaster, from Old French alabastre (>Latin> Greek> Ancient Egyptian a-labaste)
 * à la carte
 * à la mode
 * alamode
 * alarm
 * alas, from Old French phrase "ha, las!", compare modern Fr. hélas
 * alchemist
 * alchemy
 * alcove
 * alembic Middle Fr. alambic, from Arabic al anbiq
 * alert
 * algorithm
 * alien (Old Fr. alien)
 * alienation (Middle Fr. alienation)
 * align, (Middle Fr. aligner)
 * alignment, (French alignement)
 * allegation
 * allege
 * allegiance (Anglo French legaunce, from Old Fr. legeance, compare modern Fr. allégeance)
 * allegorical
 * allegory
 * allemande
 * alley compare allée
 * alliance
 * allocation
 * allot (Old Fr. aloter)
 * allotment Fr. alotement
 * allow (Old Fr. alouer)
 * allowable (Old Fr. alouable)
 * allowance (Old Fr. alouance)
 * alloy (Anglo Fr. alai, from Old Fr. aleier)
 * allude
 * allure
 * ally (Old Fr. alier)
 * almond, (Old Fr. almande, compare modern Fr. amande)
 * almoner (Old Fr. almosnier, compare modern Fr. aumônier)
 * alter
 * alteration
 * altruism
 * altruistic
 * alum
 * amass
 * amateur
 * ambassador
 * amber
 * ambergris
 * ambiance
 * ambience
 * ambiguity
 * ambiguous
 * ambition
 * amble (Old Fr. ambler)
 * ambulance
 * ambuscade
 * ambush (Old Fr. embuscher)
 * amelioration
 * amenable
 * amend
 * amendment
 * amends
 * amenity
 * amerce
 * amethyst
 * ami
 * amiable
 * amity
 * ammonite
 * ammunition, from munition
 * amnesty, compare amnistie
 * amorous, from Old French, compare modern Fr. amoureux
 * amortise
 * amount
 * amour
 * amour-propre
 * ampere
 * ample
 * amplify
 * amplitude
 * ampoule
 * ampul
 * amulet (Middle Fr. amulette)
 * amuse
 * amusement
 * anagram
 * analogue
 * analyse
 * analyst
 * anatomy
 * ancestor (Old Fr. ancestre, compare modern Fr. ancêtre)
 * ancestral
 * ancestry
 * ancien regime
 * ancient
 * andiron (Old Fr. andier)
 * andouille
 * anecdote
 * angel (Old Fr. angel)
 * angelic
 * angle
 * anguish (from Old French anguisse, now angoisse)
 * anime Fr. animé
 * animosity
 * anise (Old Fr. anis)
 * anisette
 * annals (Old Fr. annales)
 * annelid
 * annex, (Old Fr. annexer)
 * annihilation
 * announce
 * announcement
 * annoy, from Old French anoier, modern Fr. ennuyer
 * annoyance
 * annual (Old Fr. annuel)
 * annuity (Old Fr. annuité)
 * annul (Old Fr. annuler)
 * annunciation (Fr. annonciation)
 * anoint (Old Fr. enoint, p.p. of enoindre, compare modern Fr. oindre)
 * anomy
 * anonym (Fr. anonyme)
 * antecedent, compare antécédent
 * antechamber, compare antichambre
 * antelope, (Old Fr. antelop, compare modern Fr. antilope)
 * anther, compare anthère
 * antibiotic, Fr. antibiotique
 * antigen, Fr. antigène
 * antique
 * antiquity (Old Fr. antiquitet, compare modern Fr. antiquité)
 * antler (Anglo-Fr. auntiler, from Old Fr. antoillier, modern Fr. andouiller)
 * anus (Old Fr. anus)
 * apart (Old Fr. à part)
 * apartment, Fr. appartement
 * apathy
 * apercu, Fr. aperçu
 * aperitif, Fr. apéritif
 * aphorism
 * aplomb
 * apologetic
 * apologist
 * apologue
 * apoplectic
 * aporetic
 * apostille
 * apostle (Old Fr. apostle, compare modern Fr. apôtre)
 * apostrophe
 * apothecary (Old Fr. apotecaire, compare modern Fr. apothicaire)
 * appall (Old Fr. apalir, compare modern Fr. pâlir)
 * appanage (Old Fr. apanage)
 * apparel, (Old Fr. apareillier, compare modern Fr. appareil)
 * apparent
 * apparition
 * appeal
 * appear
 * appearance
 * appease
 * appeasement
 * appellant
 * appellation
 * appellee
 * apperception
 * appertain
 * appetence
 * appetite
 * application
 * applique
 * apply (Old Fr. aplier, compare modern Fr. appliquer [to implement])
 * appoint
 * appointee
 * appointment
 * apportion
 * appose
 * appraise
 * appreciable
 * appreciation
 * apprehend
 * apprise
 * approach
 * approbation
 * appropre
 * approvance
 * approve
 * appurtenance
 * appurtenant
 * apricot (Fr. abricot, from Port. albricoque, from Arabic al-birquq)
 * apron (Old Fr. naperon)
 * après-ski
 * apropos (Fr. à propos)
 * aquarelle
 * aquatic
 * aqueous
 * arabesque
 * arable
 * arachnid
 * arbalest
 * arbitrage
 * arbitration
 * arbitrator
 * arbiter
 * arbor
 * arbour
 * arc
 * arcade
 * arch
 * archaic
 * archduke
 * archeology
 * archer
 * archery
 * archetype
 * architect
 * architecture
 * archives
 * arctic
 * ardent
 * ardour
 * are
 * arête
 * argent (Fr. argent)
 * argot
 * argue, (Old French arguer)
 * argument
 * argumentation
 * aridity
 * aristocracy
 * aristocrat
 * aristocratic
 * arithmetic
 * arm [weapon] (Old French arme)
 * armagnac
 * armament
 * armature
 * armistice
 * armoire
 * armorer
 * armour
 * army
 * aromatherapy
 * aromatic
 * arraign
 * arraignment
 * arrange
 * arrangement
 * arras
 * array
 * arrearage
 * arrears
 * arrest, from Old Fr. arester
 * arrive
 * arriviste
 * arrogance
 * arrogant
 * arrondissement
 * arsenal
 * arsenic
 * arson
 * art
 * art brut
 * art deco
 * art nouveau
 * arterial
 * artery
 * artesian
 * article
 * articulation
 * artifice
 * artificial
 * artillery
 * artisan
 * artist
 * artiste
 * artistic
 * asbestos (Old Fr. abeste)
 * ascendant
 * ascertain
 * ascribe (Old Fr. ascrivre)
 * ashlar (Old Fr. aiseler)
 * asine
 * askance (Old Fr. à escone)
 * asp (Middle Fr. aspe, modern Fr. vipère aspic)
 * asperity
 * aspic
 * aspirant
 * aspire
 * assail
 * assailant
 * assassin (Fr. assassin, from Arabic hashishiyyin [hashish users])
 * assault
 * assay
 * assemblage
 * assemble
 * assembly
 * assent
 * assertion
 * assess (Anglo Fr. assesser)
 * assessor (Old Fr. assessour, compare modern Fr. assesseur)
 * assets (Anglo Fr. asetz, from Old Fr. assez [enough])
 * assign
 * assignation
 * assignee
 * assignment
 * assist
 * assistance
 * assistant
 * assize
 * assonance
 * assort
 * assuage
 * assume
 * assurance
 * assure
 * astonish
 * astray
 * astrolabe
 * astronomy
 * atavism
 * atelier
 * atheism
 * atheist
 * attach
 * attaché
 * attachment
 * attack
 * attain
 * attainder
 * attainment
 * attempt
 * attend
 * attendance
 * attendant
 * attentive
 * attest
 * attestation
 * attire
 * attitude
 * attorn
 * attorney (Old Fr. atorné [appointed] p.p. of aturner)
 * attraction
 * attractive
 * attribution
 * aubade
 * aubain
 * aubergine
 * auburn
 * au courant
 * audible
 * audience
 * audition
 * auditor
 * au fait
 * augment
 * augmentation
 * augmentative
 * au naturel
 * au pair
 * aunt (Anglo Fr. aunte, from Old Fr. ante, compare modern Fr. tante)
 * aureole
 * auspices
 * austerity
 * auteur
 * authentic
 * author (Old Fr. auctor, compare modern Fr. auteur)
 * authorise
 * authority
 * autoclave
 * autocracy
 * autocrat
 * autocratic
 * automobile
 * autumn
 * avail
 * avalanche
 * avant
 * avant-garde
 * avarice
 * avaricious
 * avaunt
 * avenge
 * avenue
 * aver
 * average
 * averment
 * avert
 * aviation (Fr. aviation)
 * aviator
 * avid (Fr. avide)
 * avidity
 * avocet
 * avoid (Old Fr. evuider)
 * avoirdupois
 * avouch
 * avow (Old Fr. aveu)
 * await (Anglo Fr. awaitier, from Old Fr. agaitier)
 * award (Anglo Fr. awarder, from Old Fr. esguarder)
 * axiom (Fr. axiome)
 * aye-aye
 * azimuth (Old Fr. azimut, from Arabic as-sumut)
 * azure (Old Fr. azur, from Arabic (al)-lazaward, from Persian lajward)
 * azure (Old Fr. azur, from Arabic (al)-lazaward, from Persian lajward)

B

 * baba au rhum
 * baboon (Fr. babouin)
 * babouche (Fr. babouche, from Arabic babush, from Persian papush)
 * baccarat
 * bachelor (Old Fr. bacheler)
 * bacon (Old Fr. bacon)
 * bacteriophage (Fr. bactériophage)
 * badinage
 * bagatelle
 * baggage, (Old Fr. bagage)
 * baguette (Fr. baguette, from Italian bacchetta)
 * bail (Old Fr. baillier)
 * bailey
 * bailiff
 * baize
 * balance
 * baldric (Old Fr. baldre, compare modern Fr. baudrier)
 * bale (Old Fr. bale, from Germanic)
 * baleen
 * ball [dancing party] (Old Fr. baller)
 * ballad (Fr. ballade, from Old Provençal ballada)
 * ballet (Fr. ballet, from Italian balletto)
 * ballon
 * balloon (Fr. ballon)
 * balm (Old Fr. basme, compare modern Fr. baume)
 * baluster (Fr. balustre, from Italian balaustro)
 * balustrade (Fr. balustrade, from Italian balaustrata)
 * banal
 * banality
 * band, (Middle Fr. bande)
 * bandage
 * bandeau
 * bandolier
 * bandy
 * banish (Old Fr. banir, from Frankish *bannjan)
 * bank (Old Fr. banque, from Old Italian banca, from Germanic)
 * banner
 * banquet
 * banquette
 * baptise (Old Fr. batisier)
 * baptism (Old Fr. batesme or bapteme, compare modern Fr. baptême)
 * bar (Old Fr. barre)
 * barb (Old Fr. barbe)
 * bargain (Old Fr. bargaignier)
 * barge
 * bark [small ship] (Middle Fr. barque)
 * baron (Old Fr. baron, from Frankish baro)
 * baroness
 * baroque
 * barque
 * barracks
 * barrage
 * barratry
 * barre
 * barrel (Old Fr. baril)
 * barren, (Old Fr. baraigne)
 * barret
 * barrette
 * barricade
 * barrier
 * barter (Old Fr. barater)
 * base
 * basil
 * basin
 * basket
 * bas-relief
 * basset (hound)
 * bassinet
 * bassoon
 * bastard
 * baste [sew] (Old Fr. bastir)
 * bastion
 * bate (Old Fr. batre, compare modern Fr. battre)
 * bathyscaphe
 * baton
 * battalion (Middle Fr. bataillon, from Italian battaglione)
 * batten (Fr. baton)
 * batter
 * battery
 * battle (Old Fr. bataille)
 * battlement
 * bauble
 * baud
 * bauxite
 * bay, compare baie
 * bayonet, compare baïonnette
 * beagle (Fr. bagle)
 * beak, (Old Fr. bec)
 * Béarnaise, a type of sauce, named after a region in France (Béarn)
 * beast (Old Fr. beste, compare modern Fr. bête)
 * beatification
 * beatitude
 * beau, a lover or a dandy
 * beau idéal
 * beau monde
 * beauty (Old Fr. beauté)
 * beaux arts, fine arts
 * bec de corbin
 * bechamel
 * beef (Old Fr. buef, compare modern Fr. boeuf)
 * beef bourguignon
 * beggar (Old Fr. begart)
 * begonia
 * beige
 * beignet
 * beldame
 * belfry
 * belle
 * belles-lettres
 * benefice (Fr. bénéfice)
 * beneficial
 * benefit (Anglo-Fr. benfet, compare modern Fr. bienfait)
 * benevolent
 * benign
 * benignity
 * benison
 * benzoin
 * berate
 * berceuse
 * beret, compare béret
 * bergamot
 * berline
 * berm (Fr. berme, from Old Dutch baerm)
 * beryl (Old Fr. beryl, from anc. Greek berullos, from Sanskrit vaidurya)
 * bestial
 * bête noire
 * betray
 * bevel
 * beverage (Anglo-Fr. beverage, from Old Fr. boivre [to drink], compare modern Fr. breuvage)
 * bevy
 * bezant
 * bezel
 * bezique
 * bias
 * bibelot
 * bibliophile
 * bice (short form of Fr. bleu bis [brownish-grey blue])
 * bicycle, compare bicyclette > vélo
 * bidet
 * bigamy
 * bigot
 * bigotry
 * bijou
 * bikini
 * bile
 * bilge
 * biliary
 * bilious
 * billet
 * billet-doux, a love letter
 * billiards Fr. billiard, dim. of Old Fr. bille [stick of wood], from Gaulish *bilia [tree]
 * billion
 * binocular
 * biopsy
 * biscuit
 * bison
 * bisque
 * bistro
 * bittern
 * bituminous
 * bivouac
 * bizarre
 * blame
 * blanch
 * blancmange
 * blandish
 * blank (Old Fr. blanc)
 * blanket, from Old French blanchet (originally "a white cloth")
 * blasé
 * blaspheme
 * blasphemy
 * blazon
 * blemish
 * bleu cheese
 * blister
 * bloc
 * block
 * blond
 * blonde
 * blouse
 * bludgeon
 * blue Old Fr. blo, from Frankish *blao
 * bobbin
 * boil (Old Fr. boilir)
 * Boise
 * boisterous
 * bomb
 * bombard (Fr. "bombarde")
 * bombardier
 * bombast
 * bombazine
 * bombe
 * bon appétit
 * bonbon
 * bonhomie
 * bon mot
 * bonnet, from Old French, compare modern Fr. bonnet
 * bonny
 * bon ton
 * bon viveur the French use bon vivant instead
 * bon voyage
 * boot
 * booty
 * borage
 * borax
 * Bordeaux wine
 * bordello
 * border
 * botanic
 * botany
 * bottle
 * bouche
 * boudoir
 * bouffant
 * bougainvillea
 * bougie
 * bouillabaisse
 * bouillon
 * boule
 * boulevard
 * boulevardier
 * bound (v.) Old Fr. bondir
 * bound (n.) Old Fr. bonde
 * boundary
 * bounty
 * bouquet
 * bourbon whiskey
 * bourdon
 * bourgeois
 * bourgeoisie
 * bourn
 * bourse
 * boutique
 * boutonniere
 * bowel
 * bowls
 * brace
 * bracelet
 * brach
 * bracket
 * braggart
 * brail
 * Braille
 * braise
 * bran, from Old French bran or bren
 * branch
 * brandish, compare brandir
 * brasserie
 * brassiere, compare brassière, although the modern French for this is soutien-gorge
 * brave
 * bravery
 * brawn
 * bray
 * braze
 * brazier
 * bream
 * brevet
 * bribe
 * bric-a-brac
 * brick
 * bricolage
 * Brie cheese
 * brigade
 * brigadier
 * brigand
 * brigantine
 * brilliant, compare brillant
 * brioche
 * briquette
 * Britain Old Fr. Bretaigne, from Latin Britannia
 * Briton Anglo-Fr. Bretun, from Latin Brittonem
 * Brittany Old Fr. Bretaigne, from Latin Britannia
 * broach
 * brochure, Fr. brochure, from brocher - to stitch
 * broderie anglaise, a type of embroidery
 * broil
 * broker
 * bromine
 * bronze
 * brooch
 * brose
 * brouhaha
 * browse
 * Bruce (Norman name)
 * bruise Old Fr. bruisier
 * bruit
 * brulee
 * brume
 * brunet
 * brunette
 * brush
 * brusque
 * brut
 * brute
 * buccaneer Fr. boucanier
 * bucket
 * buckle, compare boucle
 * buckler
 * buckram
 * budge
 * budget, from Old Fr. bougette (a little purse)
 * buff
 * buffer
 * buffet
 * buffoon
 * bugle
 * bulb
 * bulge
 * bullet, from boulette, although the modern French for this is balle
 * bulletin
 * bullion
 * bun
 * burden compare bourdon
 * bureau
 * bureaucracy
 * bureaucrat
 * burette
 * burgeon
 * burgess
 * burglar
 * Burgundy wine, Old Fr. Burgondie, now Bourgogne
 * burin
 * burlesque
 * burnish
 * bushel
 * busk
 * busker
 * buskin
 * bustard
 * bustier
 * butcher
 * butchery
 * butler
 * butt
 * butte
 * buttery
 * button, Old Fr. boton, compare modern Fr. bouton
 * buttress
 * buzzard

C

 * cabal, compare cabale
 * cabaret
 * cabbage, Middle Fr. caboche "head"
 * cabernet
 * cabin
 * cabinet
 * cable
 * cabochon
 * cabotage
 * cabriolet
 * cache, compare cacher
 * cache-sexe
 * cachet
 * cadastral
 * caddie Scottish, from Fr. cadet
 * cadence
 * cadet
 * Cadillac, named for Antoine de la Mothe Cadillac
 * cadre
 * café
 * café au lait
 * cafetière
 * cage
 * cagoule
 * cahier
 * cahoots
 * caisson
 * caitiff
 * cajole, compare cajoler
 * cajolery
 * Cajun
 * calaboose
 * calamine
 * calamitous
 * calamity
 * calcify
 * calendar Old Fr. calendier, compare modern Fr. calendrier
 * calender
 * calibre
 * caliph Fr. caliphe, from Arabic khalîfa
 * caliphate
 * calligraphy Fr. calligraphie, from Greek kálos "beautiful" + grapheîn "to write"
 * calm
 * calmative
 * calomel
 * caloric
 * calorie
 * calque
 * calumet
 * calumny
 * Calvinism
 * camaraderie
 * camber
 * camel
 * camembert
 * camisole Fr. camisole, from Provençal camisola
 * camomile
 * camouflage
 * camp
 * campaign, compare campagne
 * camphor
 * cancan
 * canaille
 * canal
 * canapé
 * canard
 * canary
 * cancel, Anglo-Fr. canceler, evolution of chanceler (1293) (to cross out)
 * candy
 * cane
 * cannon
 * cannonade
 * canon [clergyman], Anglo-Fr. canun, from Old N. Fr. canonie (compare Fr. chanoine)
 * canonise, Old Fr. cannonisier
 * canteen
 * cantle
 * canton
 * cantonment
 * canvas
 * capable
 * capacity
 * cap-a-pie
 * caparison
 * cape
 * capillarity
 * capitalism
 * capitalist
 * capitulation
 * capon Old N. Fr. capon, compare modern Fr. chapon
 * capote
 * caprice
 * capricious
 * capsid
 * capstan Old Fr. cabestant, from Old Provençal cabestan
 * capsule
 * captain Old Fr. capitaine
 * caption
 * captious
 * capture
 * Capuchin
 * car Old N. Fr. carre, from Latin carrus, from Gaulish karros
 * carabineer
 * carafe
 * caramel
 * carapace
 * carat
 * caravan
 * caravel
 * carbine
 * carbon
 * carbonate
 * carbuncle
 * carcass
 * card (Fr. carte)
 * cardiac
 * careen
 * career (Fr. carrière)
 * caress
 * caribou
 * caricature
 * carillon
 * carious
 * carmine
 * carnage
 * carnation
 * carnival
 * carnivore
 * carob, Fr. carobe, from Arabic kharrub
 * carol
 * carom
 * carouse
 * carousel
 * carp
 * carpel
 * carpenter
 * carpentry
 * carpet
 * carrack
 * carrefour
 * carriage
 * carrion
 * carrot
 * carry, Old N. Fr. carrier, (compare Fr. charrier)
 * carte blanche
 * carte de visite
 * cartel
 * carter
 * Cartesian
 * cartilage
 * cartography
 * carton
 * cartouche
 * cartridge
 * caryatid
 * cascade
 * case
 * casein
 * casement
 * cash, Middle Fr. caisse
 * cashew
 * cashier
 * cask
 * casque
 * casserole
 * cassette
 * cassis
 * cassock
 * castle, Old North Fr. castel, Old Fr. chastel, compare modern Fr. château
 * castor
 * casual (Old Fr. casuel)
 * casuist, compare casuiste
 * cataclysm
 * catafalque
 * catalogue
 * catapult
 * catch
 * catchpoll
 * catechumen
 * category
 * caterpillar
 * catheter
 * catholic
 * cattle
 * caudle
 * caul
 * cauldron
 * caulk
 * causative
 * cause
 * caustic
 * cauterize
 * caution
 * cavalcade
 * cavalier
 * cavalry, compare cavalerie
 * cave
 * cavern
 * caviar
 * cavil
 * cavity
 * cease Old Fr. cesser
 * cedar Old Fr. cedre
 * celadon
 * celebrant
 * celebration
 * celebrity
 * celerity
 * celery
 * celestial
 * celibate
 * cellar
 * cellulite
 * cellulose
 * Celtic
 * cement (Old Fr. ciment)
 * cemetery
 * cenacle
 * cenotaph
 * cense, compare encenser
 * censer (Old Fr. censier)
 * censure
 * centime (Fr. centime)
 * centimetre
 * centipede
 * centralization
 * centre (Old Fr. centre)
 * centrifuge
 * centrist
 * cephalopod
 * cere
 * cereal
 * cerebral
 * ceremonious
 * cerise
 * certain
 * certainty
 * certificate
 * certify
 * certitude
 * cession
 * Chablis
 * chafe
 * chagrin
 * chain
 * chair, Old Fr. chaiere "chair", compare modern Fr. chaire "pulpit, throne"
 * chaise, Fr. chaise, from Old Fr. chaiere
 * chaise longue or sometimes chaise lounge
 * chalet
 * chalice, Old Fr. chalice or calice, compare modern Fr. calice
 * challenge, Old Fr. chalonge (n.) and chalengier (v.)
 * challenger, Anglo-Fr. chalengeour
 * chamber
 * chamberlain, Old Fr. chamberlenc, compare modern Fr. chambellan
 * chambray
 * chameleon, Old Fr. chameleon, from Latin chamaeleon, from Greek khamaileon
 * chamfer
 * chamois
 * champagne
 * champaign
 * champertous
 * champignon
 * champion
 * chance
 * chancel
 * chancellor
 * chancery
 * chancre
 * chandelier
 * chandler
 * chandlery
 * change
 * changeable
 * channel
 * chanson
 * chant
 * chanteuse
 * chanterelle
 * chanticleer
 * chantilly cream
 * chapeau
 * chapel
 * chaperon
 * chaplain
 * chaplet
 * chapter
 * charabanc
 * character, Old Fr. caractère
 * charade
 * charcuterie
 * chard
 * Chardonnay
 * charette
 * charge
 * chargé d'affaires
 * chariot
 * charitable
 * charity
 * charlatan
 * Charles, Fr. Charles, from Medieval Latin Carolus, from Middle High Germanic Karl
 * charlotte
 * charm
 * charnel
 * chart
 * charter
 * chartreuse
 * chase, Old Fr. chacier, compare modern Fr. chasser
 * chaser
 * chassé
 * chasseur
 * chassis
 * chaste
 * chasten
 * chastise
 * chastity
 * chasuble
 * château
 * chateaubriand
 * chatelaine
 * chattel
 * chauffeur
 * chauvinism
 * cheat, Old Fr. escheat
 * check, Old Fr. eschec
 * checker, Old Fr. eschequier
 * checkmate, Old Fr. eschec mat, from Persian shah mat, compare modern Fr. échec et mat
 * cheer (Old Fr. chiere)
 * chef, Fr. chef
 * chemise
 * chemist, Fr. chimiste
 * chenille
 * cheque
 * cherish (Old Fr. chériss-)
 * cherry, Anglo-Fr. and Old N. Fr. cherise, compare Old Fr. and modern Fr. cerise
 * chess, Old Fr. esches
 * chestnut
 * cheval de frise
 * cheval glass
 * chevalier
 * chevauchée
 * chevron
 * Cheyenne, Fr. Cheyenne, from Dakota Sahi'yena
 * chez
 * chic
 * Chicago (from Fort Chécagou, from Algonquian)
 * chicane
 * chicanery
 * chichi
 * chickpea
 * chicory
 * chief, Old Fr. chief, compare modern Fr. chef
 * chieftain, Old Fr. chevetain, compare modern Fr. cheftaine (only the feminine form remains)
 * chiffon
 * chiffonade
 * chiffonier
 * chignon
 * chimera
 * chimney
 * chiromancy
 * chisel
 * chitin
 * chivalrous
 * chivalry
 * chive
 * chloroform
 * chlorophyll
 * chock
 * choice
 * choir
 * choler
 * choleric
 * cholesterol
 * choreography
 * chowder
 * Christianity
 * chrome
 * chromium
 * chronic
 * chronicle
 * chute
 * cider
 * cigarette
 * cinema, Fr. cinéma
 * cinematic
 * cinematography
 * cinnabar
 * cinnamon
 * cinquain
 * circle
 * circlet
 * circuit
 * circular
 * circulation
 * circulatory
 * circumcise
 * circumspection
 * circumstance
 * cirque
 * cistern
 * citadel
 * citation
 * cite
 * citizen
 * citron
 * citronella
 * city, Old Fr. cite, compare modern Fr. cité
 * civet
 * civil
 * civilian
 * civilisation
 * civilize
 * claim (Old Fr. clamer)
 * clairvoyance
 * clamor
 * clamorous
 * claque
 * claret
 * clarification
 * clarify
 * clarinet, compare clarinet
 * clarion
 * clarity
 * class
 * classic
 * classify
 * clause
 * clavicle
 * clavier
 * clear
 * clechy
 * clef
 * clement
 * clementine
 * clergy
 * cliché
 * client
 * clientele
 * climate
 * clinic
 * clinician
 * clique
 * cloak
 * cloche
 * clock
 * cloisonne
 * cloister
 * close
 * closet, from Old French closet
 * closure
 * cloture
 * clyster
 * coach
 * coagulation
 * coalition
 * coast
 * coat
 * coat of arms
 * cocaine
 * cochineal
 * cock
 * cockade
 * Cockaigne, Old Fr. Cocaigne, compare modern Fr. pays de Cocagne
 * cockatrice
 * cockle
 * cocoon
 * cocotte
 * coddle
 * code
 * codeine
 * codicil
 * coefficient
 * coercion
 * Coeur d'Alene
 * coffer
 * coffin
 * cogent
 * cogitation
 * cogitative
 * cognac
 * cognisance
 * cohabitation
 * coherence
 * coherent
 * cohesion
 * cohort
 * coif
 * coiffeur
 * coiffeuse
 * coiffure
 * coil
 * coin, Old Fr. coigne
 * coinage
 * coincide
 * coincidence
 * coincident
 * Cointreau
 * collaboration
 * collage
 * collagen
 * collar, Old Fr. coler
 * collateral
 * collation
 * colleague
 * collect
 * collection
 * collective
 * collector
 * college
 * collegial
 * collet
 * collision
 * colloid
 * collusion
 * cologne
 * colonel, Middle Fr. coronel, compare modern Fr. colonel
 * colonnade
 * colossal
 * colour or color
 * colouration or coloration
 * columbine
 * column
 * combat
 * combatant
 * combination
 * combine
 * combust
 * combustible
 * combustion
 * comedian and comedienne, compare comédien and comédienne
 * comedy
 * comestible
 * comet
 * comfit
 * comfiture
 * comfort
 * comfortable
 * comforter
 * comity
 * command
 * commandant
 * commander
 * commandment
 * comme il faut
 * commemoration
 * commence
 * commencement
 * commendable
 * commendation
 * commensal
 * comment
 * commentary
 * commerce
 * commercial
 * commiseration
 * commissariat
 * commission
 * commissioner
 * commode
 * commodity
 * common
 * commotion
 * communal
 * commune
 * communicable
 * communication
 * communicative
 * communion
 * communiqué
 * communism (Fr. communisme)
 * communist
 * community, Old Fr. comunalté, modern Fr. communauté
 * commutation
 * compact
 * compaction
 * companion
 * company, Old Fr. compagnie
 * comparable
 * comparative
 * compare
 * comparison
 * compartment
 * compass
 * compassion
 * compatible
 * compatriot
 * compeer
 * compel
 * compendious
 * compensable
 * compensation
 * compensatory
 * compere
 * compete
 * competence
 * competent
 * competitor
 * compilation
 * compile
 * compiler
 * complain
 * complainant
 * complaint
 * complaisance
 * complaisant
 * complement
 * complete
 * complex
 * complexion
 * complication
 * complicity
 * compliment, Fr. compliment
 * compline
 * comply
 * comport
 * comportment
 * compose
 * composite
 * composition
 * compost
 * compote
 * compound
 * comprehension
 * comprehensive
 * compress
 * compression
 * comprise
 * compromise
 * compulsion
 * compulsive
 * compunction
 * computation
 * compute
 * comrade, Fr. camarade
 * concave
 * concavity
 * conceal
 * concealment
 * concede
 * conceive
 * concentric
 * concept
 * conception
 * concern
 * concert
 * concession
 * concessionaire
 * concierge
 * conciliation
 * concision
 * conclusion
 * conclusive
 * concomitance
 * concord
 * concordance
 * concordant
 * concordat
 * concourse
 * concretion
 * concubinage
 * concubine
 * concurrence
 * concurrent
 * condemn
 * condense
 * condescend
 * condescendence
 * condign
 * condiment
 * condition
 * conditional
 * conduction
 * conductor
 * conduit
 * condyle
 * cone
 * coney
 * confection
 * confederacy
 * confederation
 * confer
 * conference
 * confess
 * confession
 * confessional
 * confidant
 * confidante
 * confidence
 * confident
 * confine
 * confinement
 * confirm
 * confirmation
 * confiscation
 * confit
 * conflagration
 * confluent
 * conform
 * conformity
 * confound
 * confraternity
 * confrere
 * confront
 * confrontation
 * confusion
 * confute
 * congeal
 * congee
 * congener
 * congestion
 * congratulation
 * congregation
 * congruity
 * conjecture
 * conjoin
 * conjoint
 * conjugal
 * conjunction
 * conjuncture
 * conjuration
 * conjure
 * conjurer
 * connect
 * connection
 * connoisseur, Old Fr. conoisseor, compare modern Fr. connaisseur
 * conquer
 * conqueror
 * conquest
 * consanguine
 * consanguinity
 * conscience
 * conscientious
 * conscription
 * consecutive
 * consent
 * consequence
 * consequent
 * conservation
 * conservative
 * conservator
 * conserve
 * consider
 * consideration
 * consign
 * consist
 * consistence
 * consistory
 * consolation
 * console
 * consommé
 * consonance
 * consonant
 * consort
 * conspiracy
 * conspirator
 * conspire
 * constable
 * constance
 * constant
 * constellation
 * consternation
 * constitution
 * constrain
 * constraint
 * construction
 * constructive
 * consuetude
 * consul
 * consult
 * consultation
 * consume
 * consumption
 * contagion
 * contagious
 * contain
 * contaminate
 * contemn
 * contemplation
 * contemplative
 * contend
 * content
 * contention
 * contentious
 * contentment
 * contest
 * contestant
 * contiguity
 * continence
 * continent
 * contingent
 * continual
 * continuance
 * continuation
 * continue
 * continuity
 * contortion
 * contour
 * contra dance
 * contraband
 * contract
 * contractile
 * contraction
 * contracture
 * contradiction
 * contrariety
 * contrary
 * contrast
 * contravene
 * contravention
 * contretemps
 * contribution
 * contributor
 * contrite
 * contrition
 * contrive
 * control
 * controller
 * controverse
 * controversy
 * contumelious
 * contumely
 * contusion
 * convalescence
 * convalescent
 * convenance
 * convene
 * convenient
 * convent, Old Fr. convent, compare modern Fr. couvent
 * convention
 * conversant
 * conversation
 * converse
 * conversion
 * convert
 * convertible
 * convex
 * convey, Anglo-Fr. conveier, from Old Fr. convoier, compare modern Fr. convoyer
 * convive
 * convivial
 * convocation
 * convoke
 * convoy
 * convulsive
 * cooperation
 * coordination
 * cope
 * coppice
 * coprolalia
 * copulation
 * copy
 * coquet
 * coquetry
 * coquette
 * coral
 * corbel
 * cord
 * cordage
 * cordial
 * cordon
 * cordwainer
 * core
 * coriander
 * Coriolis force
 * corm
 * cormorant, Old Fr. cormarenc, compare Mod. Fr. cormoran
 * corn [callus on the foot]
 * cornelian, Old Fr. corneline, compare Mod. Fr. cornaline
 * corner
 * cornet
 * corniche
 * coronal
 * coroner
 * coronet
 * corporal (n.) Middle Fr. corporal, from Italian caporale, compare Mod. Fr. caporal
 * corporal (adj.) Old Fr. corporal, compare Mod. Fr. corporel
 * corps
 * corpse
 * corpulence
 * corpulent
 * correct
 * correction
 * corrective
 * correlation
 * correspond
 * corridor, Fr. corridor, from Italian corridore
 * corrigible
 * corrode
 * corrosion
 * corrosive
 * corrupt, Old Fr. corropt
 * corruptible
 * corsage
 * corsair
 * corset
 * cortege
 * corvee
 * corvette
 * cost
 * costal
 * costive
 * costume
 * coterie
 * cotillion
 * cottage
 * cotton, Old Fr. coton
 * couch
 * cougar
 * coulee
 * coulomb
 * council
 * counsel
 * counsellor
 * count (v.), Old Fr. cunte, from Latin computare, compare Mod. Fr. compter
 * count (n.), Old Fr. conte, from Latin comitem, compare Mod. Fr. comte
 * countenance
 * counter
 * counteract
 * counterargument, counter+argument, compare contre-argument
 * counterattack, counter+attack, compare contre-attaque
 * counterbalance, counter+balance, compare contrebalancer
 * counterculture, counter+culture,compare contreculture
 * counterfeit, Old Fr. contrefait
 * counterintelligence, counter+intelligence, compare contre-intelligence
 * countermand, Old Fr. contremander
 * counteroffer, counter+offer, compare contre-offre
 * counterpart, Middle Fr. contrepartie
 * counterpoint
 * counterpoise, Old Fr. contrepois, compare Mod. Fr. contrepoids
 * countersign, Middle Fr. contresigne
 * countervail, Anglo-Fr. countrevaloir, from Old Fr. contrevaloir
 * countess
 * country, Old Fr. cuntree, compare Mod. Fr. contrée
 * county, Anglo-Fr. counte, compare comté
 * coup
 * coup d'état
 * coup de grâce
 * coupe
 * couple
 * couplet
 * coupon
 * courage, Old Fr. corage, compare Mod. Fr. courage
 * courageous
 * courant
 * courgette
 * courier
 * course
 * courser
 * court
 * court martial, Fr. cour martiale
 * courteous
 * courtesan
 * courtesy
 * courtier
 * couscous, Fr. couscous, from Arabic kuskus
 * cousin, Old Fr. cosin
 * couture
 * couturier
 * covenant
 * cover, Old Fr. covrir
 * coverlet
 * covert
 * coverture
 * covet
 * covetous
 * covey
 * coward
 * cowardice
 * coy
 * cramp
 * crap
 * crappie
 * craps [game]
 * crass
 * cravat
 * crayfish, Old Fr. crevice, compare Mod. Fr. écrevisse
 * crayon
 * cream
 * creamery
 * creation
 * creator
 * creature
 * creche
 * credit
 * creditor
 * credulity
 * Cree
 * crème
 * crème brûlée
 * crème caramel
 * crème de la crème
 * crème de menthe
 * crenel
 * crenelate
 * creole
 * crêpe
 * creperie
 * crepuscule
 * crescent
 * crest
 * cretin
 * cretonne
 * crevasse
 * crevice
 * crew
 * cricket, Old Fr. criquet
 * crime
 * criminal
 * criminality
 * crinoline
 * critic
 * critique
 * Cro Magnon
 * crochet
 * crocket
 * crocodile
 * croissant
 * crone
 * croquet
 * croquette
 * crotch
 * crotchet
 * crouch
 * 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, Anglo-Fr. coroune, from Old Fr. corone, compare Mod. Fr. couronne
 * crozier
 * cru
 * crucial
 * crucifix
 * crucify
 * crudités
 * crudity
 * cruel
 * cruelty
 * cruet
 * crusade
 * crusader
 * crush
 * crust, Old Fr. crouste, compare Mod. Fr. croûte
 * cry, Old Fr. crier
 * crystal
 * crystalline
 * cube
 * cubic
 * cubism
 * cuckold
 * cuckoo
 * cucumber
 * cuirass
 * cuisine
 * cul-de-sac
 * cull
 * culmination
 * culotte
 * culpable
 * culprit
 * cult, Fr. culte
 * cultivation
 * culture, Fr. culture
 * cuneiform
 * cupidity
 * curable
 * curation
 * curative
 * curb
 * cure
 * curette
 * curfew, Old Fr. covrefeu, compare Mod. Fr. couvre-feu
 * curie
 * curiosity
 * curious
 * curlew
 * currant
 * current
 * currier
 * curry (v.)
 * curry favor
 * cursive
 * cursory
 * curtail
 * curtain
 * curtilage
 * cushion
 * custard
 * custom, from Old Fr. coustume, compare modern Fr. coutume
 * cutlass
 * cutler
 * cutlery
 * cutlet
 * cyclic
 * cygnet
 * cylinder
 * cymbal
 * cynosure
 * cypress
 * cystic
 * cystocele