noun
dauphin
DOH-fa
Dauphin (noun) means Historically, the title given to the eldest son and heir of the King of France. Example: “The young dauphin would one day inherit the throne of France.”
noun
1
Historically, the title given to the eldest son and heir of the King of France.
"The young dauphin would one day inherit the throne of France."
How to use dauphin
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe historical French title for the crown prince — the king's eldest son and next in line.
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Word forms
- Plural
- dauphins
Fill the gap
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The young _____ would one day inherit the throne of France.
Etymology
From French dauphin, literally "dolphin" — the title came from the coat of arms of the Dauphiné region, which featured a dolphin. It's actually a doublet of the English word "dolphin."
Frequently asked questions
What does “dauphin” mean?
The word “dauphin” means historically, the title given to the eldest son and heir of the King of France. In plain terms, the historical French title for the crown prince — the king's eldest son and next in line.
How do you pronounce “dauphin”?
“Dauphin” is pronounced DOH-fa (/doʊˈfæ̃/ in IPA).
How do you use “dauphin” in a sentence?
Here is “dauphin” used in a sentence: “The young dauphin would one day inherit the throne of France.”
What part of speech is “dauphin”?
“Dauphin” is a noun.
Where does the word “dauphin” come from?
The word “dauphin” comes from French. From French dauphin, literally "dolphin" — the title came from the coat of arms of the Dauphiné region, which featured a dolphin. It's actually a doublet of the English word "dolphin.".
