Meaning & use
Cannes
Last updated
Meanings
proper nounproper
A resort city on the French Riviera in the south of France, known for its beaches and as the site of a major film festival.
Grammar: Used without an article: we visited Cannes.
Patterns
- in Cannes
- travel to Cannes
We spent a week in Cannes before driving along the coast.
Cannes is famous for its beaches and luxury hotels.
The ferry to the islands leaves from Cannes.
proper nounproper
The Cannes Film Festival, held there each year, or the prestige of showing a film there.
Grammar: Often used as shorthand: the film won at Cannes.
Patterns
- win at Cannes
- premiere at Cannes
The director's new film premiered at Cannes last May.
She won a prize at Cannes for best actress.
Common combinations
- Cannes Film Festival
- The Cannes Film Festival takes place each May.
- premiere at Cannes
- The film will premiere at Cannes.
- win at Cannes
- He won at Cannes for his debut.
- holiday in Cannes
- They took a holiday in Cannes.
- Cannes red carpet
- Stars walked the Cannes red carpet.
Word family
- Cannois adjective
- relating to Cannes, or a person from it
- Riviera proper noun
- the coastal region where Cannes lies
Commonly confused: Cannes or canes? Cannes or Nice?
Cannes vs canes
Canes is the plural of cane, a walking stick or plant stem; Cannes is the French city and is pronounced like can.
Cannes vs Nice
Nice is another city on the French Riviera, pronounced niece, and is not the same place as Cannes.
Practice
Which event is Cannes best known for?
Choose one answer.
Cannes hosts a famous film festival each year. The other events are linked to other places.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “Cannes”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.