eventuelle

Eventuelle is the feminine singular form of the French adjective éventuel. It describes something that may occur or could be the case, rather than something certain. It is frequently used with feminine nouns, for example: une conséquence éventuelle, une dépense éventuelle, une hausse éventuelle des taxes. The masculine form is éventuel, and the plural forms are éventuels (masculine) and éventuelles (feminine).

Etymology and meaning. The word derives from the Latin eventualis, from eventus, meaning an outcome or event. In modern French, éventuel conveys contingency, possibility, or a hypothetical scenario. It is common in formal or written language to qualify potential future developments, risks, or costs.

Usage and nuance. Éventuelle emphasizes possibility rather than certainty and is contrasted with synonyms such as probable or possible in general terms. It often appears in contexts such as risk assessment, planning, or legal and administrative language. For example, "des coûts éventuels" signalés dans le budget, or "une solution éventuelle" indicating a potential option. The adjective agrees in gender and number with the noun it modifies.

Related terms. The noun éventualité denotes a possible event or circumstance, i.e., an eventuality. The adverb éventuellement means “possibly,” “perhaps,” and can sometimes be used to indicate a tentative or hypothetical scenario.

See also: éventuel, éventualité, éventuellement.