dangereux

Dangereux is a French adjective meaning dangerous, describing something capable of causing harm, injury, or risk. It agrees with the noun it modifies: dangereux (masc. sing.), dangereuse (fem. sing.), dangereux (masc. plur.), dangereuses (fem. plur.). It can describe people, objects, situations, or conditions, for example: un produit dangereux, une situation dangereuse, une personne dangereuse. In everyday language it often conveys a sense of immediate threat or hazard.

In safety, health, and regulatory contexts, dangereux is common in phrases such as matières dangereuses (hazardous materials). Signs, labels, and guidelines use the term to warn of potential harm. The word also appears in figurative speech: une idée dangereuse (a dangerous idea), une relation dangereuse (a risky or harmful relationship). The adverbial form is dangereusement, and related nouns include danger and dangerosité, the latter meaning dangerousness or the degree of risk.

Etymology: the adjective is formed from the noun danger by adding the suffix -eux; the noun danger derives from Old French danger and related forms in other Romance languages. The term is neutral in technical contexts, where it serves to indicate measurable risk or hazard, while in everyday use it can carry stronger emotional or moral overtones depending on context.