Definition

1. Verb (transitive):

   • To make something or someone appear, seem, or become more French in character, style, or manner.
   • To adopt or impose French customs, styles, or characteristics on something.

2. Verb (intransitive):

   • To become French in appearance or character.

Usage

• Transitive Verb: The action is done to an object. You something.
• Intransitive Verb: The subject undergoes the change itself. Something .

Examples

• Transitive Verb:
  • The new chef decided to frenchify the menu by adding coq au vin and ratatouille.
  • They wanted to frenchify the café's decor with striped awnings and bistro tables.
• Intransitive Verb:
  • Over the decades, the border region's cuisine has slowly frenchified.

Advanced Usage

• Cultural Adaptation: Often used to describe the process of cultural influence or adaptation, sometimes with a humorous or slightly critical tone regarding imitation or pretension.
  • The town's main street has completely frenchified, with patisseries replacing the old bakeries.

Variants and Related Words

• Frenchification (noun): The process or result of making something French.
  • The frenchification of the restaurant was evident in its new wine list and waitstaff's attire.

Synonyms

• Gallicize: To make or become French in form, style, or character. (More formal synonym)
• Make French

Notes on Meaning

• The term can carry a neutral, descriptive meaning but may also imply artificiality, affectation, or superficial adoption of French traits, depending on context.
• It is a less common, derived verb, often used in informal or descriptive writing rather than formal academic contexts.

Verb

1. become French in appearance or character
   • This restaurant has Frenchified
2. make French in appearance or character
   • let's Frenchify the restaurant and charge more money