envol

Envol is a French noun that denotes the act of taking off or rising into the air, typically used for birds or aircraft. It can also be used more figuratively to describe a beginning of ascent or an upward movement, such as the start of a new phase in life or a venture.

The term derives from the Old French envol, formed from en- plus voler (to fly), reflecting the moment when something is set in motion to fly. The related verb envoler means to cause to take flight, and the noun is related to the broader family of words for flight and ascent, including envolée, which can signify a sudden ascent or swoop and is used in both literal and figurative senses.

In everyday usage, en vol is a common expression in contexts involving aviation and birds, meaning physically in flight. The phrase prendre son envol is a well-known idiom meaning to take one’s wings, to embark on a new undertaking, or to begin a new life chapter. Envol can also appear in literary or poetic contexts to evoke themes of liberation, ambition, or rising above constraints.

Related terms include envoler (to take off, to soar) and envolée (a rise or surge, often used to describe a rapid ascent in flight or emotion). While largely linked to French, the concept of an initial ascent or takeoff is universal across languages, though expressed with different phrases.