Neuves

Neuves is the feminine plural form of the French adjective neuf, meaning new. It is used to describe feminine plural nouns, as in des voitures neuves (new cars) or des maisons neuves (new houses). The masculine counterparts are neuf (singular) and neufs (plural); the feminine singular is neuve. Together these forms illustrate the agreement rules that govern French adjectives.

Etymology and word history: neuf comes from Old French neuf, which derives from Latin novus. The feminine plural neuves developed through regular gender and number agreement in French adjectives, following the same patterns that produce neuve, neufs, and its related forms such as nouveau, nouvelle, nouveaux, and nouvelles.

Usage notes: Neuf and neuve describe the state of being new or recently produced, typically for tangible objects. The related forms nouveau/nouvelle/nouveaux/nouvelles are often used to convey novelty or recent introduction, sometimes with a nuance that emphasizes newness rather than condition. For example, un livre neuf can imply a recently acquired item, whereas un nouveau livre can emphasize that the book is newly available or recently published. The form nouvel is used before a masculine singular noun starting with a vowel sound (un nouvel ami).

Other uses: In addition to its grammatical role, neuves may appear as part of proper names or place names in francophone regions, though such uses are less common and vary by local toponymy. Overall, neuves functions primarily as the feminine plural form of the adjective neuf in standard French grammar.