lâcher

Senses

1. 1.

   to release; to let go

   to stop holding or restraining something; to free from one's grasp

2. 2.

   to drop; to abandon

   to cease supporting or maintaining; to lose one's grip on

3. 3.

   to utter; to come out with

   to say or exclaim, often suddenly or without warning

4. 4.

   to break (a cable, rope); to snap

   to fail or sever (especially of ties or mechanical parts)

Examples

• "Il a lâché la main de sa mère pour courir vers ses amis."

  He released his mother's hand to run toward his friends.

• "Elle a lâché un cri de surprise en voyant le gâteau."

  She let out a cry of surprise when she saw the cake.

• "Ne lâche pas cette corde, c'est dangereux!"

  Don't let go of that rope-it's dangerous!

Usage

Lâcher is a common transitive verb with both literal and figurative uses. In informal speech, "lâcher quelque chose" often means to give up or abandon; "lâcher un mot" or "lâcher une blague" means to drop a comment or joke. Note the accent circumflex on the â, which is standard in French spelling.