Enlever

Enlever is a French verb with several related meanings centered on moving something away from a place or position. The core sense is to remove or take away: to remove an object from a location (enlever la poussière; enlever une tache), to lift off or detach something from a surface (enlever un capot, enlever une plaque). It also covers taking off clothing or accessories (j’enlève mes chaussures) and withdrawing or removing something from use or consideration (enlever un obstacle, enlever une option).

When used with a person, enlever can mean to abduct or kidnap, a sense that is widely understood as serious and criminal. The noun enlèvement refers to kidnapping. Context distinguishes between everyday removal and the more severe act of kidnapping.

Etymology and conjugation: enlever comes from Old French enlever, formed from en- plus lever, with lever meaning “to lift.” It is a regular -er verb in conjugation, but presents a notable pattern in the present tense: j’enlève, tu enlèves, il enlève; nous enlevons, vous enlevez, ils enlèvent. The passé composé is formed with avoir: j’ai enlevé; the imperfect: j’enlevais. The present participle is enlevant and the past participle is enlevé. Subjunctive forms also use the stem enlèv- (que j’enlève, que nous enlevions).

In usage, enlever is versatile but distinct from retirer or ôter in nuance: enlever emphasizes removal from a position or inclusion, whereas retirer can imply pulling back or withdrawing more deliberately; ôter often notes removing a covering or a layer.