Definitions
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
- adj. Being in accord with conventions or accepted standards; proper.
Century Dictionary and Cyclopedia
- As it should be; according to the rules of good society; genteel; proper: a French phrase often used in English.
Wiktionary
WordNet 3.0
- adj. according with custom or propriety
Etymologies
- Borrowing from French comme il faut ‘as it should be’. (Wiktionary)
- French : comme, as + il faut, it is necessary, proper. (American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition)
Examples
“It is never desirable to remain until the last at an evening-party, but is more comme il faut to be among the earliest to bid adieu to the hostess; yet, it is not well to go too early, and be the means of breaking up the party.”
A Manual of Etiquette with Hints on Politeness and Good Breeding
“Weary as we were, it was impossible to attempt reposing until a purification had been effected: we therefore set ourselves to sprinkling vinegar and burning perfumes; and it was curious to observe that the people, (all gens comme il faut [People of fashion.]) whom we found inhaling the atmosphere of a Caffrarian hut, declared their nerves were incommoded by the essence of roses and vinaigre des quatre voleurs.”
A Residence in France During the Years 1792 1793 1794 and 1795
Lists
These user-created lists contain the word ‘comme il faut’.
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Panvocalic polyglot
Non-English words that contain all the vowels once, "y" optional. For English examples, see Panvocalics and other lists linked there. Please tag contributions with the language they come from. Phra...
murcielago, bildungsromane, aleikoum, autrefois, consideratum, platenstudio, affettuosi, hipocentaury, vocalique, aegritudo, au revoir, au poivre and 1590 more...
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♥
ambrosia, inamorata, gossamer, lily-white, hummingbird, roucoulement, poppy, daisy, calypso, lunula, lamb, dove and 1526 more...
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learning
A list of words whose meanings I am learning, either because a) I don't know the meaning b) I know the meaning, but could stand to better appreciate certain inflections or secondary meanings or c) ...
louche, educe, loam, cob, sclerotic, palliate, axial, syndicalist, ecumenical, sally, fatuous, parvenu and 1381 more...
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la baguette
bête noire, l'esprit d'escalier, noblesse oblige, cause célèbre, coup de grâce, belle époque, carte blanche, de rigueur, outré, sang-froid, force majeure, enfant terrible and 44 more...
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Useful Words
moue, acrimony, pithy, arcane, anomie, bespoke, bowdlerize, claque, comme il faut, crypsis, de rigueur, blackguard and 12 more...
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