Adjectives ending in -eux become -euse in the feminine in French

Written by Qualified French Expert Aurélie Drouard HKH, Licence d'anglais LLCE

Last updated: 2023-03-13

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In French, adjectives ending in -eux have a specific feminine form.

Learn how to make the feminine form of adjectives ending in -eux in French

Look at these adjectives:

Il est heureux à Paris, et elle est heureuse à Londres.He's happy in Paris, and she's happy in London.

C'est un livre ennuyeux. -Oui, cette histoire est ennuyeuse.This is a boring book. -Yes, this story is boring.

Il y avait un garçon curieux et une fille curieuse.There were a curious boy and a curious girl.

C'est un homme courageux. -Oui, et c'est une femme courageuse.He's a courageous man. -Yes, and she's a courageous woman.

Il est furieux contre elle, et elle est furieuse contre lui.He's furious with her, and she's furious with him.

Adjectives ending in -eux in the masculine form become -euse in the feminine form.

Note that many of the English equivalents end in "-ous"

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Examples and resources

Il est heureux à Paris, et elle est heureuse à Londres.He's happy in Paris, and she's happy in London.

Il est furieux contre elle, et elle est furieuse contre lui.He's furious with her, and she's furious with him.

C'est un homme courageux. -Oui, et c'est une femme courageuse.He's a courageous man. -Yes, and she's a courageous woman.

Il y avait un garçon curieux et une fille curieuse.There were a curious boy and a curious girl.

Mon chat est peureux. -Ma tortue est peureuse aussi.My cat is fearful. -My turtle is fearful too.

C'est un sujet sérieux. -Oui, et une cause sérieuse.It's a serious matter. -Yes, and a serious cause.

Il est amoureux d'elle, et elle est amoureuse de lui.He's in love with her, and she's in love with him.