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

17 questions

Take the fastest path to fluent French

Join now for free!

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"

Want to make sure your French sounds confident? We’ll map your knowledge and give you free lessons to focus on your gaps and mistakes. Start your Brainmap today »

Learn more about these related French grammar topics

Examples and resources

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.