What does franc mean?
The franc is a unit of currency that takes its name from medieval France, where coins first struck in the fourteenth century were called francs to mark the release ('freeing') of King John II from English captivity. For centuries it served as the standard money of France, and later of Belgium, Luxembourg, and other nations, each subdivided into one hundred centimes. Although the French, Belgian, and Luxembourg francs disappeared when the euro was adopted in 2002, the word remains very much alive: Switzerland continues to use the Swiss franc, one of the world's most stable currencies, while many West and Central African countries use the CFA franc and several Pacific territories use the CFP franc. In everyday English, 'franc' most often appears when discussing travel to Switzerland or African economies, or evoking nostalgia for pre-euro Europe through old banknotes and coins kept as souvenirs.
nounThe former monetary unit of France, Belgium, and several other countries, divided into 100 centimes; it survives today as the currency of Switzerland and several African and Pacific nations.
- The former basic monetary unit of France and other countries such as Belgium and Luxembourg, replaced by the euro in 2002.
- The current monetary unit of Switzerland (the Swiss franc) and of several African states (the CFA franc) and Pacific territories (the CFP franc).
"She found a few old francs tucked inside a vintage travel wallet at the flea market."
"The café still displayed a framed banknote of ten thousand French francs from before the euro arrived."
"Prices in Geneva are quoted exclusively in Swiss francs."
Standard pluralization applies; amounts are typically written with figures followed by the word francs.
"The guidebook listed hotel prices in hundreds of Swiss francs per night."
The French franc got its name because the first coins were minted to ransom a captured king — 'franc' meant 'free,' as in the king who was set free in 1360.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of franc
The franc derives from the Old French adjective 'franc', meaning 'free', which traces back to the Franks, the Germanic people whose name gave France itself. In 1360, gold coins struck to pay King John II's ransom after his capture at Poitiers were called francs à cheval, literally marking his freedom. The coin became the basis of France's official currency from 1795 until the euro replaced it in 2002, while related words such as 'frank' and 'franchise' descend from the same Germanic root meaning free-born.
How franc is actually used
The word is now largely associated with historical contexts for France (the French franc ceased to be legal tender in 2002) but remains current vocabulary for Swiss, Central African, and Pacific currencies, so its register depends on context.
Easily confused with franc
Frank is an adjective meaning open and honest (or a verb for mailing without a stamp), while franc is a noun referring to a unit of currency.