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Voyageur - Meaning, Definition & English Examples

A voyageur is a French-Canadian fur trader or boatman who transported goods by canoe in North America during the 18th and 19th centuries. They played a key role in early trade and exploration.

voyageur

/ˌvɔɪəˈʒɝ/ /ˈvwɑːjɑːʒə/

Definition:

A traveler, especially one engaged in the fur trade in early Canada.

Synonyms:

traveler, explorer, adventurer, trader

Part of Speech:

noun

Antonyms:

homebody, stay-at-home

Common Collocations:

fur trade, canoe route, wilderness journey

Derivatives:

voyageuring, voyageured

Usage Tips:

Use "voyageur" to describe historical French-Canadian fur traders who traveled by canoe.

Common Phrases:

"journey of the voyageurs, " "voyageur’s path, " "spirit of a voyageur"

Etymology:

From French, meaning "traveler," derived from "voyage" (journey).

Examples:

  • 1. The voyageur paddled his canoe across the vast northern lakes.
  • 2. She dressed as a voyageur for the historical reenactment.
  • 3. The voyageurs traded furs with Indigenous peoples.
  • 4. Their journey mirrored the routes of early voyageurs.

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