enfin

Pronunciation

• IPA: /ɑ̃.fɛ̃/^[1]

Forms

enfin^[1]

Etymology

It is formed from French en + fin, literally “in the end”, first written separately, “en fin”.^[2][3][1][4] The noun fin continues Latin fīnis (“end”).^[5]

Earliest recorded meaning

In 1119 Philippe de Thaon's Comput has en fin to sum up what has been said, after a list, as a logical conclusion.^[2][3]

Semantic evolution

In classical French it came to mark the end of a long wait, with a feeling of relief: Corneille's Mais enfin sa clarté montre notre avantage (Le Cid, 1636).^[2][3] It also introduces the last item of a list, and is used with feeling to express anger or impatience (enfin, taisez-vous !).^[3][6]

In 1792 it served to introduce a restriction or correction (dans la semaine… enfin), a use that spread in the 20th century, as did the exclamation of resignation (enfin !).^[2][3] Enfin bref is found as early as 1745.^[7]

Timeline

• 1119 – En fin in Philippe de Thaon's Comput.^[2]
• c. 1130 – Enfin in Eneas.^[6]
• 1636 – “At last”, in Corneille's Le Cid.^[2]
• 1745 – Enfin, bref.^[7]
• 1792 – Introducing a correction, in Collin d'Harleville.^[2]

Meanings

Adverb

1. At last, finally, after a long wait: vous voilà enfin !^[8][1]
2. finally, lastly, in a series: d'abord la mère, puis les enfants, enfin le père.^[8][9]
3. In short, to sum up: enfin bref.^[8][7]
4. Or rather, well: corrects what has just been said: elle est blonde, enfin plutôt rousse.^[8][1]
5. After all: il n'est pas sot, enfin.^[6]

Interjection

1. At last!; also expressing impatience or resignation: enfin !^[1][3]

Related words

• fin
• afin

References

1. ^ a b c d e f Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
2. ^ a b c d e f g Trésor de la langue française informatisé (2004), ATILF – CNRS & Université de Lorraine, atilf.fr/tlfi; electronic version of Imbs, Paul; Quemada, Bernard, eds. (1971–1994), Trésor de la langue française, Paris: CNRS / Gallimard
3. ^ a b c d e f Rey, Alain, ed. (1992), Dictionnaire historique de la langue française, Paris: Le Robert
4. ^ Wartburg, Walther von, et al. (1922–2002), Französisches Etymologisches Wörterbuch, 25 vols., Bonn / Leipzig / Basel: Klopp / Teubner / Zbinden, p. 3, 561a
5. ^ Bloch, Oscar; Wartburg, Walther von (1989), Dictionnaire étymologique de la langue française, 8th ed., Paris: Presses universitaires de France
6. ^ a b c Guilbert, Louis; Lagane, René; Niobey, Georges, eds. (1971–1978; 1989), Grand Larousse de la langue française, Paris: Larousse
7. ^ a b c Quemada, Bernard, ed. (1959–2006), Datations et documents lexicographiques (Base historique du vocabulaire français, BHVF), Paris: Klincksieck / CNRS / Champion; ATILF
8. ^ a b c d Rey-Debove, Josette; Rey, Alain, eds. (2007), Le Petit Robert de la langue française, Paris: Le Robert
9. ^ Dictionnaire de français Larousse, larousse.fr/dictionnaires/francais (accessed 2024)