When the word French is capitalized, it can have these meanings:

1. From or related to France The French city of Paris has many fine restaurants.
2. The French language Many citizens of Luxembourg are able to speak French.

The uncapitalized french can have these meanings:

1. To cut into strips for cooking in the French style (also known as: to julienne), e.g., frenched carrots. The term french fries is a further simplification from this meaning applied specifically to potatoes.
2. To remove fat and meat from the tips of a bone-in chop or roast, e.g., frenched rack of lamb

The word also appears in many short phrases such as french doors, french horn, french toast, etc., coined to imply origination in or association with France, not necessarily accurately. Another application of the word French is in words like French pictures (early pornographic images) and French letters (an early English euphemism for condoms), and french kiss (the open mouth kind).

There are similar expressions in France, but referring to England. The "French cream" (a sweet milky sauce for desserts like cakes) is called in French "crème anglaise" (English cream). In the same way condoms used to be called "capotes anglaises" (English overcoats) and "to take French leave" translates as "filer à l'anglaise".