canicule
/ka.ni.kyl/noun★Intermediate
formal
A prolonged period of excessively hot weather, typically lasting several days or weeks, often with high humidity.
Les autorités ont émis des alertes sanitaires à cause de la canicule.
Authorities issued health warnings due to the heatwave.
💡
In French, 'canicule' specifically refers to a heatwave, while in English, 'heatwave' is the more general term.
Collocations
une vague de caniculea heatwavesouffrir de la caniculeto suffer from the heatwave
Synonyms
Antonyms
💡Pro Tip
Usage Tip
In French, 'canicule' is often used in news reports and official announcements about extreme heat.
📖Word Origin
From Latin 'canicula,' meaning 'small dog,' referring to the Dog Star (Sirius) whose rising was associated with hot weather in ancient times.
📝Usage Notes
'Canicule' is more commonly used in formal or meteorological contexts in French. In everyday speech, 'vague de chaleur' is also used.
Dictionnaire Français-Anglais