soutenu

French

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /sut.ny/, /su.tə.ny/

• Audio:

  (file)

Participle

soutenu (feminine soutenue, masculine plural soutenus, feminine plural soutenues)

1. past participle of soutenir

Adjective

soutenu (feminine soutenue, masculine plural soutenus, feminine plural soutenues)

1. sustained, maintained, concerted

   une attention soutenue ― close attention

   des efforts soutenus ― a sustained effort

   résistance soutenue ― sustained resistance

2. sustained, lasting, enduring

   un bonheur soutenu ― lasting happiness

   un enthousiasme soutenu ― sustained enthusiasm

3. (of language) high-register; formal

   du langage soutenu, la langue soutenue ― formal language

Further reading

• “soutenu”, in Trésor de la langue française informatisé [Digitized Treasury of the French Language], 2012.