What does frenchifying mean?
"Frenchifying" is the present participle and gerund of the informal verb "frenchify", meaning to make something French in character — whether that means cooking, dressing, speaking, or conducting oneself in imitation of French manners. The word has been part of English since at least the seventeenth century, typically appearing in playful or faintly critical commentary about the spread of French taste among elites, who historically looked to France as the arbiter of refinement. A restaurant might be described as frenchifying its menu by adding rich sauces and continental flourishes, or a traveller as frenchifying her accent after a stay in Paris. Though rarely encountered in formal prose — where "gallicizing" serves the same purpose — it remains a vivid, slightly wry term that captures both admiration for French elegance and gentle mockery of those who chase it.
verb (present participle and gerund of "frenchify")Making something French in character, style, or customs; adopting or imitating French manners, fashions, or language. Often used somewhat humorously or critically about the influence of French taste on food, dress, or culture.
- To make something French in character, style, dress, cuisine, or manners.
- (Intransitive) To adopt French customs, fashions, or mannerisms oneself.
"The new chef spent the winter frenchifying the menu, replacing hearty pies with delicate sauces and baguettes."
"Critics accused the aristocracy of frenchifying their names and titles after the fashion of the French court."
"She has been quietly frenchifying her wardrobe ever since her year in Lyon."
Before there was a word for cultural appropriation, English speakers were already complaining about their neighbours 'frenchifying' — it's been a cheeky verb since at least the 1600s.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of frenchifying
The word derives from "French" combined with the suffix "-ify" (from Latin -ficare, "to make"), forming a verb meaning "to make French". It emerged in English in the early modern period, when Anglo-French cultural rivalry made such coinages useful for mocking imitation of French fashions. It parallels similar formations such as "anglify" and the later "gallicize" (from Latin Gallus, "a Gaul").
Related word forms
How frenchifying is actually used
Informal and often playful or mildly pejorative; the more neutral term is "gallicizing". Historically used in British writing from the 17th century onward, frequently in complaints about foreign influence on manners or language.
Easily confused with frenchifying
Gallicizing is the more standard, formal term for making something French, while frenchifying is an informal, often jocular variant with identical meaning.