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name Uncommon

Voltaire

vohl-TEH-uh

Voltaire (name) means the pen name of François-Marie Arouet, an influential 18th-century French writer and philosopher known for his wit and criticism of intolerance. Example: “Students studied Voltaire's satirical novel Candide in class.”

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The pen name of François-Marie Arouet, an influential 18th-century French writer and philosopher known for his wit and criticism of intolerance.
"Students studied Voltaire's satirical novel Candide in class."

How to use Voltaire

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishThe pen name of a famous French Enlightenment writer known for sharp satire.

Word forms

Voltaires plural

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Students studied _____'s satirical novel Candide in class.

Etymology

Borrowed from French Voltaire. The surname is mostly found in Haiti.

Origin: French

Rhymes for Voltaire

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Frequently asked questions

What does “Voltaire” mean?

The word “Voltaire” means the pen name of François-Marie Arouet, an influential 18th-century French writer and philosopher known for his wit and criticism of intolerance. In plain terms, the pen name of a famous French Enlightenment writer known for sharp satire.

How do you pronounce “Voltaire”?

“Voltaire” is pronounced vohl-TEH-uh (/voʊlˈtɛɹ/ in IPA).

How do you use “Voltaire” in a sentence?

Here is “Voltaire” used in a sentence: “Students studied Voltaire's satirical novel Candide in class.”

What part of speech is “Voltaire”?

“Voltaire” is a name.

Is “Voltaire” a common word?

“Voltaire” is an uncommon word in modern English.

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Definitions: FreeDict original editorial · etymology from Wiktionary