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Glite Dictionary
Fighting French

Fighting French

8.2
French soldiers and leaders who fought against German occupation in World War II under Charles de Gaulle
  • noun
translation icon : Franceses Libres
  • Charles de Gaulle became the symbolic leader of the Fighting French throughout World War II.

Examples

  • The Fighting French played a crucial role in coordinating resistance efforts during World War II.

  • Many members of the Fighting French risked their lives to undermine German control in occupied France.

  • The Fighting French played a crucial role in World War II.

  • Did you know the Fighting French were instrumental in the liberation of Paris?

  • Many members of the Fighting French risked their lives to undermine German control in occupied France.

  • Charles de Gaulle became the symbolic leader of the Fighting French throughout World War II.

  • The Fighting French played a crucial role in coordinating resistance efforts during World War II.

Synonyms

Free French
vsFighting French
1 5.1

Armed forces and political movement led by Charles de Gaulle who resisted German occupation in World War II

is the same movement but called with a different name

Surface Forms

Fighting French singular
Fighting Frenches plural

Morphology

fighting + French

The phrase's meaning — French people or forces who are engaged in combat — is directly and transparently built from 'fighting' (engaged in combat) + 'French' (people of France). While the full historical reference to de Gaulle's specific unit is specialized background knowledge, a B1 learner who knows both constituents will readily infer the general meaning.

Etymology

Fighting French comes from the image of French soldiers and leaders who left France and kept fighting for their country after Germany took control in World War II, led by Charles de Gaulle from Britain. So, Fighting French means the French forces who fought to 'free France' and bring back the republic.