seule

Seule is the feminine singular form of the French adjective seul, used to describe a feminine noun as “alone” or to indicate exclusivity as “the only.” It agrees with the noun it modifies: une femme seule, la fille seule; des femmes seules.

The masculine form is seul, the masculine plural soit seuls, and the feminine plural seules. When used predicatively, it follows a linking verb: Elle est seule. In this slot it refers to the subject’s state of being alone or isolated, rather than to a general property.

Seule can also function as a nominal (a determiner used as a noun phrase) in contexts like la seule — meaning “the only one.” For example, Elle est la seule à connaître la vérité translates to “She is the only one who knows.” The feminine form thus supports both adjective-like and noun-like usages, depending on syntax.

Etymologically, seul derives from Latin solus, sharing roots with related words such as solitaire and sole. Its paired contrast with the masculine and plural forms is a standard feature of French agreement, affecting articles, adjectives, and pronouns in sentence structure.

Common usage notes include combining avec tout seule or tout seul for emphasis: tout seul (masculine) and toute seule (feminine) mean “all alone.” The term is primarily descriptive and determiner-like rather than a standalone adverb; French often prefers tout seul or seulement for adverbial emphasis.

See also: seul, seulement, solitude.