élevé

Élevé is a French adjective and the past participle of the verb élever. It denotes something that has been raised or lifted and, by extension, something that is high, lofty, or of a higher level. The word comes from Latin elevatus, via the French verb élever, which means to raise, lift up, or elevate.

Forms and grammar

Élevé agrees in gender and number with the noun it modifies: élevé (masculine singular), élevée (feminine singular), élevés (masculine plural), élevées (feminine plural). As a past participle, its agreement follows standard French rules: with the auxiliary être, it agrees with the subject; with avoir, it agrees with a preceding direct object.

Usage

Physically high or tall: un immeuble élevé, une colline élevée.

Figurative or qualitative: un niveau élevé de sécurité, une culture élevée, un esprit élevé.

In historical or descriptive contexts, it can describe dignified or noble qualities, levels of achievement, or intensity.

Distinctions and related terms

Élevé is often confused with élève, a different word meaning student or pupil. Although they are similar in meaning and pronunciation in many dialects, élève (with accents) is the noun for a learner, while élevé refers to something raised or advanced. The related verbs are élever (to raise) and élevé (past participle, or adjective).

See also

Élever, Élevé (past participle usage), Élève (student).