devoirs: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2/RareArchaic/Formal (extended 'duties' sense); Regional/British (homework sense).
Quick answer
What does “devoirs” mean?
a plural noun meaning 'homework', specifically assigned school or university work to be completed outside of class.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
a plural noun meaning 'homework', specifically assigned school or university work to be completed outside of class.
Traditionally used in British English for school assignments. In a formal or humorous archaism, can refer to duties or respects owed (e.g., 'pay one's devoirs').
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The word is almost exclusively known in British English in the 'homework' sense, and even there it is rare, archaic, or regionally limited (e.g., in old-fashioned school contexts). It is virtually unknown and unused in contemporary American English.
Connotations
In British usage, it may carry connotations of an old-fashioned, possibly private or boarding school context. It sounds formal, dated, or affected.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in both dialects. In contemporary corpora, occurrences are near-zero. 'Homework' or 'assignment(s)' are the universal modern terms.
Grammar
How to Use “devoirs” in a Sentence
to do one's devoirsto set (sb) devoirsto finish devoirsto have devoirs in [subject]Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Historic/archaic term for academic tasks; not used in modern academic writing.
Everyday
Virtually obsolete. Might be encountered in period literature or humorously/affectatiously.
Technical
Not used.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “devoirs”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “devoirs”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “devoirs”
- Using it in singular form ('a devoir') to mean a single piece of homework (incorrect in modern English).
- Using it in contemporary American English contexts.
- Pronouncing it as /dɪˈvɔɪəz/ (anglicised) instead of the French-influenced /dɛˈvwɑː/.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is extremely rare and archaic. The standard word is 'homework' or 'assignments'.
Historically, yes ('a devoir' meaning a duty), but in the modern 'homework' sense, it is only used in the plural form 'devoirs'.
It was borrowed from French in the Middle English period, originally meaning 'duty'. Its specific meaning of 'schoolwork' is a later, narrower development influenced by French educational terminology.
Generally, no. Using it will sound affected, archaic, or confusing to most listeners. Use 'homework' or 'assignments' instead.
a plural noun meaning 'homework', specifically assigned school or university work to be completed outside of class.
Devoirs is usually archaic/formal (extended 'duties' sense); regional/british (homework sense). in register.
Devoirs: in British English it is pronounced /ˈdɛvwɑː(z)/, /dəˈvwɑː(z)/, and in American English it is pronounced /dəˈvwɑːrz/, /ˈdɛvwɑːrz/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Pay one's devoirs to (someone) – show respect/duty (archaic).”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of the French phrase 'les devoirs' (homework). It's an English borrowing that retains its French plural form and meaning.
Conceptual Metaphor
DUTIES ARE BURDENS (in the archaic 'duty' sense). KNOWLEDGE ACQUISITION IS WORK (in the 'homework' sense).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the word 'devoirs' most likely to be encountered in modern English?