Provençal

1 of 2

adjective

Pro·​ven·​çal ˌprō-ˌvän-ˈsäl How to pronounce Provençal (audio)
ˌprä-vən-
sense 1 also prə-ˈven(t)-səl
1
: of, relating to, or characteristic of Provence or the people of Provence
2
or Provençale : cooked with butter, white wine, shallots, garlic, and parsley and often other ingredients (such as tomatoes or mushrooms)
scallops Provençal

Provençal

2 of 2

noun

Pro·​ven·​çal ˌprō-ˌvän-ˈsäl How to pronounce Provençal (audio)
ˌprä-vən-
1
: a native or inhabitant of Provence
2
: occitan
especially : the dialect of Occitan spoken in Provence

Examples of Provençal in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
King peruses several cookbooks before settling on Richard Olney’s Lulu’s Provencal Table. — Elizabeth Wellington, Bon Appetit Magazine, 8 Aug. 2025 Hotel Crillon Le Brave in Provence offers guests a gentle experience of Provencal rural luxury, while Lou Pinet in Saint Tropez is a sunny, party-minded in St Tropez, the heart of the French Riviera. — Sarah Turner, Forbes.com, 31 July 2025 Bear & Crown 926 J St. For Dine Downtown, this high-end bar and eatery serves chicory salad or angel hair pasta, followed by crispy chicken or Provencal fish stew. — Marcus D. Smith, Sacramento Bee, 3 Jan. 2025 Expand your horizons by looking beyond Provencal Rosé. — Elycia Rubin, The Hollywood Reporter, 5 Dec. 2024 See All Example Sentences for Provençal

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle French, from Provence Provence

First Known Use

Adjective

1589, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1600, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of Provençal was in 1589

Phrases Containing Provençal

Browse Nearby Words

provenance
Provençal
Provence
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Provençal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Proven%C3%A7al. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

Provençal

noun
Pro·​ven·​çal
ˌpräv-ən-ˈsäl, 
ˌprōv-
1
: a person born or living in Provence
2
: occitan
Provençal adjective
Last Updated: - Definition revised
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