Frappant

Frappant is a French adjective meaning striking or noticeable, used to describe something that makes a strong impression due to appearance, quality, or effect. It agrees with the noun it modifies: frappant (masculine singular), frappante (feminine singular), frappants (masculine plural), frappantes (feminine plural). The term derives from the verb frapper, “to strike,” with the present participle frappant used adjectivally to convey impact or conspicuousness rather than the physical act of striking.

Usage and nuance: frappant is common in formal, literary, and journalistic contexts to express emphasis without overt emotion. It often conveys visual impact but can apply to sound, intellect, or situations. Typical collocations include un contraste frappant, une couleur frappante, une ressemblance frappante, and un effet frappant. The sense ranges from noticeable to arresting, depending on context.

Translations and alternatives: in English, frappant is usually rendered as “striking,” “notable,” “remarkable,” or “arresting.” It is more formal than synonyms such as marquant (notable) or éblouissant (dazzling). Related linguistic notes concern proper gender/number agreement for various nouns, and the distinction between frappant and other evaluative terms like saisissant or impressionnant in nuance rather than meaning.

See also: saisissant, marquant, écart imminent of emphasis, and colour or style descriptions in French prose.

Examples:

- Le contraste entre ces couleurs est frappant. (The contrast between these colors is striking.)

- Une ressemblance frappante peut surprendre. (A striking resemblance can be surprising.)

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