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Definition of "poilu" [poilu]

  • Slang A French soldier, especially in World War I. (noun)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Use "poilu" in a sentence
  • "What is the slang meaning of the French word "poilu"?"
  • "And sometimes the poilu is a little confused, writing a charming letter of thanks to "Monsieur Lafayette" himself."
  • "The poilu was a middle-aged man, and very drunk on some foul spirit which he had bought in a low cafe down by the river."