-eur masculine nouns

French nouns ending in eur often come from English words ending in er or or. This happens when the words are for jobs, machines, or people who do something. French takes the English word and changes the ending to match its own way of spelling and saying things. The gender is almost always masculine. Here is a list of common ones.

  • un acteur (an actor)
  • un administrateur (an administrator)
  • un animateur (a host, an animator)
  • un aspirateur (a vacuum cleaner)
  • un auditeur (a listener, an auditor)
  • un calculateur (a calculator)
  • un compositeur (a composer)
  • un conducteur (a driver)
  • un connecteur (a connector)
  • un conservateur (a conservative, a curator)
  • un coordinateur (a coordinator)
  • un correcteur (a corrector, a proofreader)
  • un cultivateur (a grower, a farmer)
  • un danseur (a dancer)
  • un décorateur (a decorator)
  • un démonstrateur (a demonstrator)
  • un destructeur (a destroyer)
  • un détecteur (a detector)
  • un directeur (a director, a manager)
  • un distributeur (a distributor, a vending machine)
  • un documentaire (a documentary)
  • un éditeur (an editor, a publisher)
  • un éducateur (an educator)
  • un électeur (a voter)
  • un évaporateur (an evaporator)
  • un exportateur (an exporter)
  • un extracteur (an extractor)
  • un facteur (a mail carrier, a factor)
  • un générateur (a generator)
  • un gladiateur (a gladiator)
  • un imperméable (a raincoat, not from an agent noun)
  • un importateur (an importer)
  • un imprimante (a printer, this one is feminine)
  • un indicateur (an indicator, an informer)
  • un inducteur (an inductor)
  • un inspecteur (an inspector)
  • un instructeur (an instructor)
  • un interacteur (an interactor)
  • un interrupteur (a switch, a circuit breaker)
  • un interview (an interview, not an eur word)
  • un inventeur (an inventor)
  • un investigateur (an investigator)
  • un lecteur (a reader, a player)
  • un livreur (a delivery person)
  • un localisateur (a locator)
  • un magnétoscope (a VCR, not an eur word)
  • un masseur (a masseur)
  • un modérateur (a moderator)
  • un moniteur (a monitor, an instructor)
  • un moteur (a motor, an engine)
  • un navigateur (a browser, a navigator)
  • un observateur (an observer)
  • un opérateur (an operator)
  • un ordinateur (a computer)
  • un organisateur (an organizer)
  • un oscillateur (an oscillator)
  • un peintre (a painter, not from er or or)
  • un photocopieur (a photocopier)
  • un planificateur (a planner)
  • un présentateur (a presenter)
  • un producteur (a producer)
  • un projecteur (a projector)
  • un propagateur (a propagator)
  • un propriétaire (an owner, not from er or or)
  • un protecteur (a protector)
  • un provocateur (a provocateur)
  • un radar (radar, not an eur word)
  • un radiateur (a radiator)
  • un réalisateur (a director, a filmmaker)
  • un récepteur (a receiver)
  • un rédacteur (a writer, an editor)
  • un réfrigérateur (a refrigerator)
  • un régulateur (a regulator)
  • un relais (a relay, not an eur word)
  • un répétiteur (a tutor, a repeater)
  • un représentant (a representative, not an eur word)
  • un résisteur (a resistor)
  • un sécheur (a dryer)
  • un sénateur (a senator)
  • un spectateur (a spectator)
  • un stabilisateur (a stabilizer)
  • un stimulateur (a stimulator)
  • un tracteur (a tractor)
  • un transformateur (a transformer)
  • un translateur (a translator, a converter)
  • un transporteur (a transporter, a carrier)
  • un tuteur (a tutor, a guardian)
  • un utilisateur (a user)
  • un ventilateur (a fan, a vent)
  • un vibrateur (a vibrator)
  • un visiteur (a visitor)

Some of these words have a feminine form too. It is often -euse or -trice. For example:

  • un danseur -> une danseuse (a dancer)
  • un acteur -> une actrice (an actress)
  • un lecteur -> une lectrice (a reader)

A few of these nouns are not for people. They are for machines or things. Examples are un aspirateur, un ordinateur, and un réfrigérateur. They are still masculine.

Summary

French takes English words ending in er or or and makes them into masculine nouns ending in eur. They are for people, machines, and tools. The feminine forms are usually -euse or -trice.

Don’t miss new articles!

Get 1 email a week with new articles about French

We don’t spam! Read more in our privacy policy

Similar Posts

  • acronyms

    French uses acronyms extensively in formal writing, news media, and digital communication. An acronym is a word formed from the initial letters of a phrase, like NATO or NASA. Understanding them is essential for reading French texts and following informal online exchanges. Informal and online acronyms These acronyms are used in texting, on social media,…

  • sometimes

    The English word “sometimes” can be rendered in French through several expressions, each carrying subtle differences in frequency, tone, or context. The most common translations include parfois, quelquefois, de temps en temps, and occasionnellement. Parfois Meaning: The most direct and neutral translation of “sometimes,” indicating occasional occurrence without specifying frequency. Usage: Examples: Quelquefois Meaning: Similar…

  • Nous avons bien fait

    Nous avons bien fait is a common French phrase used to say that a past action was the right one. It shows up after decisions, choices and actions of all kinds, from small everyday matters to major life choices. This article looks at what the phrase means and how it is used. Meaning Literally, nous…

  • What

    The English word “what” can be translated into French in several ways, depending on the context. The most common translations are quel, quelle, qu’est-ce que, que, ce que, ce qui and quoi. Interrogative expressions with “quel” and “quelle” “Quel” (masculine) and “quelle” (feminine) are used when “what” functions as an adjective modifying a noun. Here,…

  • Accents on letters

    Accented letters in French are essential for correct pronunciation and often carry historical significance. The five main diacritical marks in French are the acute accent (é), grave accent (è), circumflex (ê), tréma (ë), and cedilla (ç). Each affects pronunciation, and some even reveal fascinating linguistic evolution—particularly the acute and circumflex accents, which often replace a…

  • as well as

    English “as well as” has several meanings. In French, the right translation depends on the sense of the sentence. Sometimes it simply joins two things. Sometimes it means “in addition to.” Sometimes it compares skill, quality, or degree. The main French translations are: English “as well as” can also overlap at times with “as much…