scientifique

Scientifique is a French term that functions as both an adjective and a noun. As an adjective, it means “scientific” and is used to describe things related to science, such as la méthode scientifique (the scientific method) or la recherche scientifique (scientific research). As a noun, it designates a person who works in science: un scientifique (masculine) or une scientifique (feminine). The form is the same for masculine and feminine singular, while the plural is scientifiques.

Etymology: The word comes from science, from the Latin scientia meaning knowledge, with the -ifique suffix that forms adjectives meaning “pertaining to” or “having to do with.” It is cognate with the English word “scientific” and shares roots with related terms in other Romance languages, while retaining its distinct French spelling and usage.

Usage: In contemporary French, scientifique is widely used across academia, media, and industry to describe methods, knowledge, and objects linked to science. It forms numerous compound terms, such as recherche scientifique or instruments scientifiques. The adjective agrees with the gender of the noun it modifies only in the sense of number; in gender, its form remains the same, while the plural is scientifiques. In noun use, masculine and feminine forms are distinguished by the article, not by the adjective’s form.

English-language context: The word is rarely used in English except in discussions of French language or in bilingual titles and quotations. In English, the corresponding terms are usually “scientific” (adjective) and “scientist” (noun).