Difficulty Level
intermediate
Translations
🇩🇪 ausbreiten
, 🇪🇸 extender
, 🇮🇹 spalmare
, 🇵🇹 espalhar
, 🇨🇳 铺开
, 🇯🇵 広げる
, 🇰🇷 퍼뜨리다
, 🇸🇦 يوزع
, 🇮🇳 पताकर देना
Usage Examples
Le marchand a étalé ses marchandises sur le comptoir.
Il a étalé la carte sur la table.
Elle étale son linge dans le soleil.
Etymology
Étaler comes from Old French *estaler* “to lay out”, which is derived from the Latin *exstare* – “to stand out, spread out” (ex‑ “out” + stare “to stand”).
Initially the verb meant to set something in view, then it broadened to the general sense of spreading or displaying.
In modern French it keeps that sense, with an additional culinary nuance of flattening or spreading dough.
Synonyms
déployer
exposer
présenter
disposer
étirer
étendre
étaler
Antonyms
cacher
replier
comprimer
resserrer
contenir