champs-elysees: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Low FrequencyFormal
Quick answer
What does “champs-elysees” mean?
A famous, wide, and prestigious avenue in Paris, France, stretching from the Place de la Concorde to the Arc de Triomphe.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A famous, wide, and prestigious avenue in Paris, France, stretching from the Place de la Concorde to the Arc de Triomphe.
Metaphorically used to represent luxury, high fashion, tourism, Parisian elegance, or commercial prestige.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No major differences in usage. Both varieties treat it as a foreign proper name.
Connotations
Connotes elegance, tourism, and a touch of sophistication.
Frequency
Equally low frequency in both UK and US English, used primarily in contexts related to travel, fashion, or French culture.
Grammar
How to Use “champs-elysees” in a Sentence
the Champs-Élysées is/are...located on the Champs-Élyséesstroll down the Champs-ÉlyséesVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “champs-elysees” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- Champs-Élysées chic
American English
- Champs-Élysées glamour
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in luxury branding, real estate, and tourism marketing.
Academic
Used in urban studies, cultural geography, or French history.
Everyday
Used by tourists and in general discussions about Paris.
Technical
Not applicable.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “champs-elysees”
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “champs-elysees”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “champs-elysees”
- Champs Elysées (missing hyphen)
- Champs Elysees (missing diacritics)
- Champs-Élysée (incorrect singular ending)
- Using 'a' before it (incorrect: 'a Champs-Élysées')
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It translates to 'Elysian Fields', a reference to the paradise for heroes in Greek mythology.
In British English, / ʃɒ̃zeɪ.liː.zeɪ /; in American English, / ʃɑ̃zeɪ.liˈzeɪ /. Both are anglicised versions.
It is plural in form but usually treated as singular in English (e.g., 'The Champs-Élysées is busy'). It can also be treated as plural (e.g., 'The Champs-Élysées are lit up').
Yes, for correct written form, you should use the hyphen and the acute and grave accents: Champs-Élysées.
A famous, wide, and prestigious avenue in Paris, France, stretching from the Place de la Concorde to the Arc de Triomphe.
Champs-elysees is usually formal in register.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'The champ is the champ!' - The Champs-Élysées is the most famous, 'champion' avenue in Paris.
Conceptual Metaphor
CHAMPION'S PARADE GROUND (from its etymology) → ULTIMATE AVENUE.
Practice
Quiz
What is the Champs-Élysées?