fondé

Fondé is a French past participle of the verb fonder and, in modern usage, an adjective meaning “founded” or “based.” It describes something that has been established or created on a basis, such as a institution, theory, or organization, and it is also used to indicate the year of establishment, as in “fondé en 1990.”

Etymology and forms: Fondé derives from the Latin fundare, itself from fundus meaning bottom or foundation. In gendered and plural form, the adjective agrees with the noun: fondé (masc. sing.), fondée (fem. sing.), fondés (masc. plur.), fondées (fem. plur.). When used with être in a passive construction, the past participle agrees with the subject: “La société a été fondée en 1990” (the company was founded in 1990) and “La théorie fondée sur des preuves” (the theory based on evidence).

Usage notes: Fondé is common in legal, administrative, historical, and academic contexts. It frequently appears with en to mark the year or place of establishment (fondé en 1789; fondée à Paris) and with sur to express basis or justification (basé sur, fondé sur). While “fondé sur” and “basé sur” are closely related, fondé emphasizes the origin or justification of what is described, whereas baser tends to stress the practical basis.

Related terms: Related nouns include fondement (foundation, basis) and fondation (foundation, organization founded). The word contrasts with terms like « établi » (established, set up) and with expressions such as « non fondé » (unfounded).

See also: fondement, fondation, fonder, fondé en droit (in legal contexts).