livraison: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowFormal / Business
Quick answer
What does “livraison” mean?
The act of delivering goods or services, especially to a customer.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The act of delivering goods or services, especially to a customer.
The process or instance of transporting and handing over a product, package, or meal to its intended recipient. In e-commerce, it refers to the fulfilment stage of an order.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The word is equally rare in both UK and US English, but might be slightly more recognised in UK English due to geographical/cultural proximity to France. The concept is always expressed with native terms like 'delivery' or 'shipment'.
Connotations
In both dialects, using 'livraison' instead of 'delivery' can sound pretentious, deliberately European, or niche. It may be used in branding for restaurants or services wanting a French cachet.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in general English. Its use is almost entirely confined to businesses with French names or high-end service contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “livraison” in a Sentence
The livraison of [GOODS] to [RECIPIENT]arrange for livraisonawaiting livraisonVocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in contracts or communications with French-speaking partners, or in the branding of logistics companies. Example: 'Our terms include livraison within 48 hours.'
Academic
Rare. Might appear in papers on logistics, Romance linguistics, or cultural studies discussing loanwords.
Everyday
Virtually never used in casual conversation. An English speaker would say 'the delivery'.
Technical
Used in specific software or systems (e.g., restaurant POS systems) with French language settings or origins.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “livraison”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “livraison”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “livraison”
- Using 'livraison' in everyday English instead of 'delivery'.
- Misspelling as 'liveraison' or 'livrason'.
- Incorrect pluralisation as 'livraisons' in an English sentence where 'deliveries' is required.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a low-frequency French loanword. The standard English term is 'delivery' or 'shipment'.
Only if you are communicating in a context where French terminology is expected or part of the brand, such as with a French company or within a business using French names for its services. Otherwise, use 'delivery'.
English speakers often approximate the French pronunciation: /ˌlɪv.ʁe.ˈzɒ̃/ (UK) or /ˌliː.vɹeɪ.ˈzɔ̃/ (US). The final 'n' is nasalised.
No. In English, it is only used as a noun. The corresponding verb is 'to deliver' or 'to ship'.
The act of delivering goods or services, especially to a customer.
Livraison is usually formal / business in register.
Livraison: in British English it is pronounced /ˌlɪv.ʁe.ˈzɒ̃/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌliː.vɹeɪ.ˈzɔ̃/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “À la livraison (upon delivery)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a French 'LIVeR' making a 'delivery'. 'Livraison' sounds like 'delivery' with a French accent.
Conceptual Metaphor
SERVICE IS A JOURNEY (the goods are on a journey to the customer).
Practice
Quiz
In which context would the word 'livraison' be MOST naturally used in English?