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nounnoun

la marraine

godfather

Definition & meaning

Parrain is a masculine French noun with several related meanings:

  1. Godfather: a man who serves as a sponsor at a child’s baptism and traditionally takes a special role in the child’s life. The child is his filleul .
  2. Sponsor or patron: someone who supports or lends their name to an event, organization, or cause.
  3. Mentor or protector: informally, a person who guides or supports someone, especially by using their influence.
  4. Crime boss: in discussions of organized crime, parrain can mean a powerful criminal leader, similar to “godfather” in English.

Grammar & Word origin

Parrain is a masculine noun; its plural is parrains . The feminine counterpart is marraine , used for a godmother or female sponsor.

The word comes from Old French parrain, from Latin patrinus, meaning a godfather or paternal sponsor. It is not usually divided into meaningful parts in modern French.

Synonyms & antonyms

Synonyms vary by meaning:

  • protecteur (“protector”) emphasizes providing help or safeguarding someone.
  • mentor (“mentor”) emphasizes guidance and advice.
  • sponsor (“sponsor”) is most appropriate for financial or public support of an event or cause.
  • chef mafieux (“mafia boss”) makes the criminal meaning explicit.

There is no direct antonym. Marraine is the feminine counterpart, not an antonym.

Common phrases & collocations

  • parrain de baptême — baptismal godfather
  • parrain d’une association — patron or sponsor of an organization
  • être le parrain de quelqu’un — to be someone’s godfather
  • parrainage — sponsorship, patronage, or godparenting, depending on context

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Examples

Mon parrain est gentil.noun

My godfather is kind.

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