aiguille: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2 (Very Low Frequency)Formal, Technical, Literary
Quick answer
What does “aiguille” mean?
A sharp, needle-shaped peak of rock, especially in the Alps.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A sharp, needle-shaped peak of rock, especially in the Alps.
Also refers to the pointer of a sundial, compass, or other instrument, or a very slender type of drill.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant usage differences; the word is equally rare and specialized in both varieties.
Connotations
Carries connotations of alpine mountaineering, technical precision, and European (particularly French/Swiss) geography. It sounds more technical and foreign than 'peak' or 'spire'.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in both dialects. Likely encountered only in mountaineering literature, guides to the Alps, or specific technical manuals.
Grammar
How to Use “aiguille” in a Sentence
the [material] aiguille of [mountain range]the aiguille [proper name, e.g., du Midi]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “aiguille” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- [No standard verb use]
American English
- [No standard verb use]
adverb
British English
- [No standard adverb use]
American English
- [No standard adverb use]
adjective
British English
- [No standard adjective use]
American English
- [No standard adjective use]
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Used in geology, geography, and mountaineering studies.
Everyday
Not used in everyday conversation.
Technical
Primary context: Alpine mountaineering guides, climbing literature, geology texts. Secondary: Surgical/dental instrument catalogs (aiguille drill).
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “aiguille”
- Mispronouncing as /əˈɡjuːl/ or /aɪˈɡjuːl/.
- Using it as a general synonym for 'mountain'.
- Misspelling as 'aguille' or 'aiguile'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a very low-frequency, specialized term borrowed from French. Most native speakers may not know it unless they have an interest in mountaineering or Alpine geography.
Yes, in highly specialized contexts. It can refer to the pointer on a sundial or compass, or to a type of slender surgical or dental drill. However, the mountain peak meaning is by far the most likely encounter in general English.
It is pronounced /ˈeɪ.ɡwiːl/ (AY-gweel), with the stress on the first syllable. It should rhyme with 'veil' not with 'guile'.
'Spire' or 'pinnacle' are good general synonyms. 'Needle' is also very close, but 'aiguille' carries a specific technical and geographical nuance associated with the Alps.
A sharp, needle-shaped peak of rock, especially in the Alps.
Aiguille is usually formal, technical, literary in register.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[No common idioms]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine an **AIGUILLE** as an **AGILE needle** of rock piercing the sky.
Conceptual Metaphor
NATURE AS ARCHITECTURE (The mountain is a crafted, pointed structure).
Practice
Quiz
In which context are you LEAST likely to encounter the word 'aiguille'?