jeux

Jeux is the French term for games or play. In French, the word functions as a general label for activities governed by rules, competition, or social play, and it can refer to amusements and entertainments in everyday life as well as more formal activities.

As a noun, jeux is the plural of jeu, and it covers a wide range of forms, including board games (jeux de société), card games, sports, and games of chance, as well as video games (jeux vidéo). The singular jeu typically refers to a single game or act of play. The term is used broadly in cultural, educational, and recreational contexts.

Etymology traces jeux to Old French jeu, from Latin iocus, meaning jest, play, or sport, reflecting the long association of the word with recreation and competition.

Historically, games have appeared across civilizations: ancient dice and board games, card games in the medieval and early modern periods, and the rise of chess as a globally influential game. The development of electronic and digital media in the 20th and 21st centuries introduced jeux vidéo, a major contemporary form that spans consoles, computers, and mobile devices.

In contemporary usage, jeux are studied for their social, educational, and economic roles, as well as for design and user experience in digital formats. They are integral to culture, entertainment, and training, and their terminology varies by domain and language.

See also: Jeu; Jeux vidéo; Jeux de société; Jeux d'argent.