What does tenue in French mean?

What is the meaning of the word tenue in French? The article explains the full meaning, pronunciation along with bilingual examples and instructions on how to use tenue in French.

The word tenue in French means outfit, holding, roadholding, running, style, flair, behaviour, hold, take, grip, grasp, hold, restrain, hold, manage, run, control, maintain, keep, stand, resist, be solid, be stable, continue, last, fit, stick to , cling to, mean a lot to , be important to, want to do, get from, stand, remain, stay, keep, hold on to , hold onto hang on to , hang onto, remain, stay, keep, take place, behave, make sense, hold water, still be on, come over, keep, keep to, use, come from, stem from, arise from, be attached to , be fond of, play-the-ball, have good manners, stay on well, hold the road well, hold the road nicely, not hold the road well, first-rate, high-quality, dressed up, in underwear, in evening dress, be in uniform, be dressed for , be dressed to do, be in your birthday suit, be mother-naked, be in your birthday suit, slur, dress, dress up, appropriate clothing, smart dress required, smart dress code, formal dress, home wear, loungewear, holding of a meeting, camouflage clothing, formal clothing, combat gear, combat dress, uniform, gym kit, gym outfit, beachwear, firefighter's uniform, roadholding, stage outfit, stage costume, evening wear, evening dress required, sports gear, sports kit, elegant casual wear, casual wear, upkeep of diaries, bookkeeping, flimsy outfit, light outfit, casual clothes, clothing, formal dress is required. To learn more, please see the details below.

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Meaning of the word tenue

outfit

nom féminin (vêtements portés)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

Il faut que je m'achète une nouvelle tenue pour le mariage de ma sœur. Les soldats de cette armée ont une drôle de tenue.

The soldiers in that army have strange uniforms.

holding, roadholding

nom féminin (adhérence à un support) (vehicle)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

La tenue de route de la 2 CV est excellente.

The 2 CV's roadholding is excellent.

running

nom féminin (gestion d'un établissement)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

La tenue d'un commerce n'est pas chose innée.

Running a business is not an inborn skill.

style, flair

nom féminin (allure, distinction)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

Cette robe n'a aucune tenue sur toi !

On you, that dress completely lacks style!

behaviour

nom féminin (conformité aux bonnes mœurs) (UK)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

Ce jeune officier a une tenue insuffisante en société.

That young officer's behaviour is inappropriate in society.

hold

verbe transitif (porter, avoir avec soi)

(transitive verb: Verb taking a direct object--for example, "Say something." "She found the cat.")

Je crois que l'homme qui tient le bouquet de fleurs là-bas te regarde. Je vais regarder ce qui se passe. Tiens-moi la lampe de poche. Tiens la porte à la dame.

I think the man holding the bouquet of flowers over there is looking at you. I'm going to see what's going on. Hold my flashlight for me. Hold the door for the lady.

take, grip, grasp

verbe transitif (saisir, s'agripper) (arms)

(transitive verb: Verb taking a direct object--for example, "Say something." "She found the cat.")

Ma mère tient mon bras pour marcher. Sur un bateau, il vaut mieux tenir la rampe si on ne veut pas tomber.

On a boat, it's best to take hold of the rail if you don't want to fall.

hold, restrain

verbe transitif (maintenir, maîtriser)

(transitive verb: Verb taking a direct object--for example, "Say something." "She found the cat.")

Quand on promène son chien au parc, il faut le tenir en laisse.

When walking a dog in the park, it must be kept on a leash.

hold

verbe transitif (serrer contre soi)

(transitive verb: Verb taking a direct object--for example, "Say something." "She found the cat.")

La jeune maman tenait son enfant dans les bras.

The young mother was holding her child in her arms.

manage, run

verbe transitif (gérer) (business)

(transitive verb: Verb taking a direct object--for example, "Say something." "She found the cat.")

Pierre tient un restaurant.

Peter runs a restaurant.

control

verbe transitif (figuré (maîtriser, contrôler)

(transitive verb: Verb taking a direct object--for example, "Say something." "She found the cat.")

Ce professeur ne sait pas tenir sa classe

That teacher is incapable of controlling his class.

maintain, keep

verbe transitif (entretenir)

(transitive verb: Verb taking a direct object--for example, "Say something." "She found the cat.")

Son appartement est très bien tenu.

His flat is very well maintained.

stand

verbe intransitif (rester dans une position)

(intransitive verb: Verb not taking a direct object--for example, "She jokes." "He has arrived.")

Dans ce jeu, les candidats doivent tenir sur un poteau sur un seul pied.

In this game, the contestants have to stand on a post on just one leg.

resist

verbe intransitif (résister) (military)

(intransitive verb: Verb not taking a direct object--for example, "She jokes." "He has arrived.")

Notre régiment n'a pas tenu plus de trois heures à cet endroit. Les concurrents devaient porter un poids à bout de bras et devaient tenir le plus longtemps.

The competitors had to hold a weight with their arms outstretched and hold out as long as possible.

be solid, be stable

verbe intransitif (être solide)

Ne suspends rien de lourd à ce clou, il ne tient pas beaucoup.

Don't hang anything heavy on this nail; it's not very solid.

continue, last

verbe intransitif (ne pas changer)

(intransitive verb: Verb not taking a direct object--for example, "She jokes." "He has arrived.")

Le beau temps tiendra toute la semaine. Il a neigé une heure mais ça n'a pas tenu.

It snowed for an hour, but it didn't settle.

fit

verbe intransitif (être contenu)

(intransitive verb: Verb not taking a direct object--for example, "She jokes." "He has arrived.")

Nous ne tiendrons pas tous dans cette voiture. Votre résumé doit tenir sur une page.

We won't all fit in this car. Your CV should fit on one page.

stick to , cling to

verbe transitif indirect (adhérer à [qch])

L'araignée tient au mur grâce à ses crochets.

Spiders stick to the walls thanks to their claws.

mean a lot to , be important to

verbe transitif indirect (éprouver de l'affection) (subject/object inversion)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

Pierre m'est très cher : je tiens beaucoup à lui. Je te prête cette robe, mais ne l'abîme pas ; j'y tiens beaucoup, c'est ma mère qui l'a cousue elle-même.

Peter is very dear to me; I care a lot about him.

want to do

locution verbale (vouloir fortement)

Je tiens à être présent chez le notaire. Le directeur a tenu à préciser qu'il n'était pas au courant des agissements de son bras droit.

I want to be present at the notary's. The manager wanted to make it clear he didn't know what his right-hand man was up to.

get from

verbe transitif indirect (hériter un caractère de [qqn])

Ma fille a un caractère bien trempé ; elle tient ça de son père. Il n'y a pas à dire, Julien tient de sa mère !

My daughter has a strong personality; she gets that from her father.

stand

verbe pronominal (être placé quelque part)

(intransitive verb: Verb not taking a direct object--for example, "She jokes." "He has arrived.")

Trois plantons se tiennent toujours devant l'entrée de ce ministère.

Three orderlies are still standing in front of the entrance to the ministry.

remain, stay, keep

verbe pronominal (rester)

(intransitive verb: Verb not taking a direct object--for example, "She jokes." "He has arrived.")

Les oiseaux se tiennent toujours à bonne distance du chat.

The birds are staying at a good distance from the cat.

hold on to , hold onto hang on to , hang onto

(s'accrocher)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

Comme il n'y avait plus de sièges dans le train, Emily s'est tenue à une des poignées pour garder l'équilibre. Assise à l'arrière de la moto, Julie se tenait à Brian pour ne pas tomber.

As there were no more sets on the train, Emily held on to one of the handles to maintain her balance. Sitting on the back of the motorcycle, Julie hung onto Brian so as not to fall.

remain, stay, keep

verbe pronominal (être dans une disposition) (availability)

(intransitive verb: Verb not taking a direct object--for example, "She jokes." "He has arrived.")

Les pompiers se tiennent toujours prêts à intervenir. Cet étudiant se tient informé de toutes les nouveautés en matière d'informatique.

That student keeps himself informed of all the new computing developments.

take place

verbe pronominal (avoir lieu, se dérouler)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

La conférence se tiendra le 20 janvier au Palais des Congrès.

The conference will take place on 20 January at the Palais des Congrès.

behave

verbe pronominal (être respectueux des usages)

(intransitive verb: Verb not taking a direct object--for example, "She jokes." "He has arrived.")

Tu es invité, j'espère que tu sauras te tenir.

You are invited; I hope you will be able to behave.

make sense

verbe pronominal (être cohérent)

Ce raisonnement se tient, c'est possible.

This argument makes sense; it's possible.

hold water

verbe intransitif (être plausible) (figurative)

Votre explication tient, c'est une possibilité.

Your explanation holds water, so it's certainly possible.

still be on

verbe intransitif (ne pas être annulé) (informal)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

On devait aller au ciné ce soir mais comme Julie n'a pas confirmé, je ne sais pas si ça tient toujours ou pas. Alors Éric, ça tient toujours pour samedi ? 19 h chez toi, c'est bien ça ?

We were supposed to be going to the cinema tonight, but as Julie hasn't confirmed, I don't know if it's still on or not. Eric, are we still on for Saturday? 7 pm at your place, right?

come over

verbe transitif (figuré (avoir prise sur [qqn]) (emotion)

(phrasal verb, transitive, inseparable: Verb with adverb(s) or preposition(s), having special meaning, not divisible--for example,"go with" [=combine nicely]: "Those red shoes don't go with my dress." NOT [S]"Those red shoes don't go my dress with."[/S])

Quand la colère la tient, elle ne se contrôle plus.

When anger comes over her, she loses all control.

keep

verbe transitif (s'occuper de)

(transitive verb: Verb taking a direct object--for example, "Say something." "She found the cat.")

Ma fille tient un journal qu'elle cache sous son lit.

My daughter keeps a diary that she hides under her bed.

keep to

verbe transitif (respecter)

Avec tout le travail qu'il nous reste à faire, il me semble difficile de tenir les délais.

With all the work we still have to do, I think it will be difficult to stick to the deadline.

use

verbe transitif (dire)

(transitive verb: Verb taking a direct object--for example, "Say something." "She found the cat.")

Cet homme politique tient des propos plutôt inquiétants.

This politician makes rather worrying comments.

come from, stem from, arise from

verbe transitif indirect (venir de)

Sa déprime tient à ses conditions de travail.

Her depression comes from her working conditions.

be attached to , be fond of

verbe transitif indirect (être attaché à [qch])

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

Mon père tient à ce bureau.

That desk is important to my father.

play-the-ball

nom masculin (jeu au pied au rugby à XIII) (rugby league)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

Suite à un tenu, le joueur se relève et frappe la balle.

After a play-the-ball, the player stands up and kicks the ball.

have good manners

locution verbale (être bien élevé)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

Pour emmener les enfants au restaurant, il faut qu'ils aient de la tenue.

stay on well

locution verbale (bien tenir)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

Ce rouge à lèvres a de la tenue : pas besoin d'en remettre sans arrêt.

hold the road well, hold the road nicely

locution verbale (adhérer à la route)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

Paul est content de sa nouvelle voiture qui a une bonne tenue de route.

Paul is happy with his new car, which holds the road well.

not hold the road well

locution verbale (mal accrocher à la route)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

Cette voiture a une mauvaise tenue de route surtout par temps de pluie.

first-rate, high-quality

locution adjectivale (de grande qualité)

(adjective: Describes a noun or pronoun--for example, "a tall girl," "an interesting book," "a big house.")

dressed up

locution adverbiale (dans des vêtements élégants) (informal)

(adjective: Describes a noun or pronoun--for example, "a tall girl," "an interesting book," "a big house.")

Tous les officiers étaient en grande tenue pour la réception de l'ambassadeur.

in underwear

locution adjectivale (en sous-vêtement)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

in evening dress

locution adjectivale (bien habillé)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

be in uniform

locution verbale (être en uniforme)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

be dressed for , be dressed to do

locution verbale (être équipé, prêt à agir) (clothes)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

be in your birthday suit, be mother-naked

locution verbale (homme : être nu)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

be in your birthday suit

locution verbale (femme : être nue)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

slur

nom féminin (Musique : symbole en arc) (Music)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

Quand tu vois une liaison sous les notes, cela veut dire qu'il faut que tu la tiennes.

When you see a slur under the notes, it means you have to hold it.

dress

locution verbale (s'habiller)

(intransitive verb: Verb not taking a direct object--for example, "She jokes." "He has arrived.")

Ils se mettent en tenue pour la messe.

dress up

locution verbale (se préparer)

(phrasal verb, intransitive: Verb with adverb(s) or preposition(s), having special meaning and not taking direct object--for example, "make up" [=reconcile]: "After they fought, they made up.")

Tout le monde se met en tenue pour la grande première ce soir.

appropriate clothing

nom féminin (tenue adéquate) (uncountable)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

Activité salissante, porter une tenue appropriée.

smart dress required, smart dress code

nom féminin (interdiction de tenue négligée)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

formal dress

nom féminin (tenue de cérémonie)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

Les acteurs défilent en tenue d'apparat.

home wear, loungewear

nom féminin (tenue légère)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

holding of a meeting

nom féminin (fait de se réunir)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

camouflage clothing

nom féminin (treillis militaire)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

Je ne veux pas que mes enfants portent de tenue de camouflage.

formal clothing

nom féminin (vêtements de soirée)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

combat gear, combat dress

nom féminin (vêtements militaires, treillis)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

uniform

nom féminin (figuré (tenue appropriée à un usage) (figurative)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

Tu ferais mieux de mettre ta tenue de combat avant d'aller débroussailler ce talus. Le costume cravate est la tenue de combat du jeune cadre dynamique.

gym kit, gym outfit

nom féminin (vêtement collant au corps) (clothing)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

beachwear

nom féminin (vêtements très légers) (clothing)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

firefighter's uniform

nom féminin (uniforme de pompier)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

Les enfants rêvent tous d'une tenue de pompier.

roadholding

nom féminin (adhérence d'un véhicule)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

Grâce à son centre de gravité très bas, la tenue de route de la 2 CV était excellente.

stage outfit, stage costume

nom féminin (vêtement d'artiste)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

evening wear

nom féminin (habits élégants)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

evening dress required

nom féminin (tenue élégante exigée)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

Pour ce gala, c'est tenue de soirée de rigueur.

sports gear, sports kit

nom féminin (vêtements pour faire du sport)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

elegant casual wear

nom féminin (vêtements de bureau)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

casual wear

nom féminin (habits pas habillés, informels)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

upkeep of diaries

nom féminin (organisation des emplois du temps)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

bookkeeping

nom féminin (comptabilité, gestion des comptes)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

flimsy outfit, light outfit

nom féminin (habits déshabillés, fins)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

casual clothes

nom féminin (tenue informelle)

(plural noun: Noun always used in plural form--for example, "jeans," "scissors.")

Gérard passait souvent le week-end en tenue négligée.

clothing

nom féminin (façon dont on est habillé) (uncountable)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

formal dress is required

(il faut s'habiller élégamment)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

Pour la soirée de gala, une tenue correcte est exigée.

Let's learn French

So now that you know more about the meaning of tenue in French, you can learn how to use them through selected examples and how to read them. And remember to learn the related words that we suggest. Our website is constantly updating with new words and new examples so you can look up the meanings of other words you don't know in French.

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