noun
milieu
MEEL-yur
noun
1
The physical or social environment surrounding someone; their surroundings or setting.
"She felt out of place in the corporate milieu."
"The novel captures the milieu of 1920s Paris beautifully."
How to Use Milieu
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe environment or social world someone belongs to or is surrounded by.
When to use it
A fairly formal, literary word — "environment" or "surroundings" is more everyday.
Common pairings
social milieu
artistic milieu
in this milieu
Word Forms
milieux plural, milieus plural
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She felt out of place in the corporate _____.
Etymology
Borrowed directly from French milieu, "middle" or "surroundings," from Old French mi- ("middle") plus lieu ("place").