dégagé

adjective

dé·​ga·​gé ˌdā-ˌgä-ˈzhā How to pronounce dégagé (audio)
1
: free of constraint : nonchalant
2
: being free and easy
clothes with a dégagé look
3
: extended with toe pointed in preparation for a ballet step

Word History

Etymology

French, from past participle of dégager to put at ease, from Old French desgagier to redeem a pledge, free, from des- de- + gage pledge — more at gage

First Known Use

1696, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of dégagé was in 1696

Dictionary Entries Near dégagé

Cite this Entry

“Dégagé.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/d%C3%A9gag%C3%A9. Accessed 8 Nov. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on dégagé

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!