Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

perdu

/pəˈdjuː/

Word Rarity Very rare

Frequency: Zipf frequency 2.03 in modern English

Syllables: per-du
IPA: /pəˈdjuː/

8

Scrabble Score

5

Letters

2

Syllables

5

Unique Chars

Meaning

adj

Stationed in an exposed or hazardous position; hidden in ambush. Originally as sentinel perdu.

Obsolete

adj

In a dangerous situation; lost, desperate.

Archaic

adj

Hidden; concealed from sight. Chiefly with lie.

Archaic

noun

One placed on watch, or in ambush.

noun

A soldier sent on a forlorn hope.

Example Sentences

"a perdue captain"
"Among certain grizzled sea-gossips of the gun decks and forecastle went a rumor perdue […]"
"He should lie Perdue who is to walk the round."
"I stood perdu behind Mr Grimbold; a tall personage, whose broad shoulders, however, just permitted me to peep over at the Major, who had not yet espied me."
"To watch, poor perdu, / With this thin helm?"

Etymology

Borrowed from Middle French perdu, originally after sentinelle perdue.

Origin

Source language: Middle French

Word Breakdown

Root: perdu

Regional Pronunciation

British English: /pəˈdjuː/

Usage

Inflected Forms

perdue (alternative) perdus (plural)

Phrases

cire perdue pierre perdu profil perdu recherche du temps perdu

Frequently Paired Words

cire perdue pierre perdu profil perdu recherche du temps perdu

Rhymes With

you do who new two too you-know-who through few true due talk down to

Questions

How do you pronounce perdu?: The recorded pronunciation is /pəˈdjuː/.
What does perdu mean?: Stationed in an exposed or hazardous position; hidden in ambush. Originally as sentinel perdu.
Where does perdu come from?: It is traced to Middle French.

How to pronounce perdu

Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “perdu”.
Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling (/pəˈdjuː/) so you know which sounds to aim for.
Play the audio — Click Play to hear reference audio for “perdu”.
Repeat and practice — Say “perdu” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.