bergerac: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal / Literary / Specific
Quick answer
What does “bergerac” mean?
A proper noun, primarily a French city in the Dordogne department, or a surname.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A proper noun, primarily a French city in the Dordogne department, or a surname.
Often used metonymically to refer to wines from the Bergerac region of France. Also, the name of the fictional character Cyrano de Bergerac, famous for his large nose and romantic eloquence.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. Familiarity may vary slightly based on exposure to French culture/wine or the play/films.
Connotations
Connotes French culture, wine, or literary/romantic reference (Cyrano).
Frequency
Very low frequency in both varieties, used almost exclusively in specific contexts (wine, literature, theatre).
Grammar
How to Use “bergerac” in a Sentence
[wine] from Bergeracthe [character] of Cyrano de BergeracVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “bergerac” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- A classic Bergerac red
American English
- A Bergerac-style wine
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
In the wine trade, e.g., 'We're expanding our portfolio to include a Bergerac.'
Academic
In literary or drama studies, e.g., 'Rostand's portrayal of Bergerac.'
Everyday
Rare. Possibly when discussing travel or wine, e.g., 'We drank a lovely Bergerac.'
Technical
In viticulture/oenology, referring to the AOC wine region.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “bergerac”
Neutral
Weak
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “bergerac”
- Mispronouncing the final 'c' (it is pronounced). Spelling errors: 'Bergerack', 'Bergera'. Using it as a common noun.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a low-frequency proper noun used in specific contexts like wine, French geography, and literature/theatre.
Yes, in both British and American English, the final 'c' is pronounced as /k/.
The real Cyrano de Bergerac took part of his name from a small estate owned by his family, named after the town. The fictional character is not from the town itself.
Only in a limited, attributive sense, primarily to describe wine from that region (e.g., a Bergerac rosé). It is not a general-purpose adjective.
A proper noun, primarily a French city in the Dordogne department, or a surname.
Bergerac is usually formal / literary / specific in register.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “A Cyrano de Bergerac situation (a scenario involving unrequited love or ghostwriting love letters).”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'BERGerac is a BERG (mountain/hill) in FRANCE where they make wine and write romance.'
Conceptual Metaphor
A PLACE FOR THE PRODUCT (Bergerac for its wine). A PERSON FOR THE QUALITY (Bergerac for eloquent, romantic, or large-nosed individuals).
Practice
Quiz
What is 'Bergerac' most commonly associated with in English contexts?