This glossary includes useful vocabulary on the subject of technology. It might be especially useful to understand English articles or to write an essay about technology.
Breakthrough
Noun
An important discovery or event that helps to improve a situation or provide an answer to a problem
Example: Scientists are hoping for a breakthrough in the search for a cure for cancer.
A major breakthrough in negotiations has been achieved.
fr: Une percée
Bulky
Adjective
1) A bulky object takes up a lot of space, or is difficult to move or carry
2) A bulky person is large and heavy
3) Bulky clothes are large and loose or made of thick material
Example: 1) Early mobile phones were bulky and expensive.
2) The suspect is described as of bulky build with blond hair.
3) Their bulky clothing and masks made them difficult to identify.
fr: Volumineux
Cutting-edge
Adjective
Very modern and with all the newest features
Example: It is a company that uses cutting-edge technology, employs highly qualified workers and promotes research.
That money will refurbish the buildings and install cutting-edge technology so that people in my community can learn directly.
fr: D’avant-garde
Game changer
Noun
1) Something or someone that affects the result of a game very much
2) Something such as a product or event that affects a situation or area of business very much
Example: 1) As a player he can be a game changer.
2) The hit show has been a game changer for the network.
fr: (événement) qui change la donne
Intuitive
Adjective
1) Based on feelings rather than facts or proof
2) Able to know or understand something because of feelings rather than facts or proof
3) Easy to use or learn without any special knowledge
Example: 1) Most people have an intuitive sense of right and wrong.
2) Good agents are certainly extroverted, but are grounded, rather than intuitive.
3) It has a stunning and intuitive user interface.
fr: Intuitif
Network
Noun
1) A large system consisting of many similar parts that are connected together to allow movement or communication between or along the parts, or between the parts and a control center.
2) A number of computers that are connected together so that they can share information.
3) People that you know, considered as a group whose members exchange information with each other.
Example: 1) Every school must be connected to the network, so that the pupils can exploit the potential of the information society.
2) The Internet is a global computer network.
3) She’s a member of a working mothers’ network.
fr: Réseau
Obsolete
Adjective
Not in general use any more, having been replaced by something newer and better or more fashionable.
Example: Payment by cheque will soon be obsolete.
Traditional retailing is in danger of being rendered obsolete by the internet.
fr: Obsolète
Piracy
Noun
1) The act of attacking ships in order to steal from them.
2) The act of illegally copying a computer program, music, a film, etc. and selling it.
Example: 1) Piracy is alive and flourishing on the world's commercial sea lanes.
2) Recording companies continue their efforts to combat internet piracy.
fr: 1) Piraterie
2) Piratage
Search engine
Noun
A computer program that finds information on the internet by looking for words that you have typed in
Example: What a user may want from a search engine is to receive relevant results, and to receive them fast.
The results may also be indexed by a search engine, which may then be used to process queries.
fr: Moteur de recherche
Software
Noun
1) The instructions that control what a computer does; computer programs
2) The programs that you put into a computer to make it do particular jobs
Example: 1) When you buy a new computer, you usually get software included at no extra cost.
2) He's written a piece of software that does your taxes for you.
fr: Logiciel
State-of-the-art
Adjective
1) (of technology) being the most advanced
2) very modern and using the latest ideas and methods
Example: 1) The control panel uses all the newest technology and is considered state-of-the-art.
2) The center is 20 years old and will need capital improvements to remain state-of-the-art.
fr: Dernier cri
Tech-savvy
Adjective
Knowing a lot about modern technology, especially computers
Example: The state needs more tech-savvy workers for its hi-tech industries.
As the children with more access to computers gain more comfort in using them, the less tech-savvy students get pushed aside.
fr: Féru de technologie
Techie
Noun
Someone who knows a lot about computers or other electronic equipment
Example: To run a successful IT team, you need to be more than just a techie.
The latest innovation came from a bunch of young techies in the research lab.
fr: Technophile
To back up
Verb
1) To support or help someone
2) To say that someone is telling the truth
3) To make an extra copy of computer information
Example: 1) My family backed me up throughout the court case.
2) Will you back me up if I say that I never saw him?
3) Make sure you back up your files.
fr: 1+2) Soutenir
3) Sauvegarder
To browse
Verb
1) To look through a book or magazine without reading everything, or to walk around a shop looking at several things without intending to buy any of them
2) To look at information on the internet
3) (of animals) to feed on grass, leaves, etc. in a relaxed way
Example: 1) I was browsing through fashion magazines to find a new hairstyle.
2) Before we made a decision we spent hours browsing various websites.
3) Deer were browsing (on grass) under the trees.
fr: 1) Feuilleter/jeter un oeuil 2) Naviguer/surfer sur internet 3) Paître
To revolutionize
Verb
To completely change something so that it is much better.
Example: Newton's discoveries revolutionized physics.
Electronic cash systems have revolutionized the way that people around the world pay for goods and services.
fr: Révolutionner
To turn something on its head
Idiom
To cause something to be the opposite of what it was before.
Example: These new findings turn the accepted theories on their head.
Social media has turned the way we communicate on its head.
fr: Chambouler
Upgrade
Noun
1) A piece of software or equipment that improves the quality or usefulness of a computer or machine.
2) An occasion when someone is given something of a better standard, or newer, for example a better seat on a plane, a better room in a hotel, or a new phone.
Example: 1) The upgrade to version 5.0 costs $395.
2) I got an upgrade to first class on the plane on the way back.
fr: 1) Mise à niveau 2) Surclassement
User-friendly
Adjective
If something, especially something related to a computer, is user-friendly, it is simple for people to use.
Example: Software applications were downsized from expensive mainframes to networked personal computers and workstations that are often more user-friendly and cost-effective.
As a reference book it is solid and user-friendly, but it's also good for free-range browsing.
fr: Facile à utiliser
Viral
Adjective
1) Caused by a virus.
2) Used to describe something that quickly becomes very popular or well known by being published on the internet or sent from person to person by email, phone, etc.
Example: 1) Over the past two decades, infection by several viral and bacterial pathogens has been implicated in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis.
2) Here's a list of the top ten viral videos this week.