seuls

Seuls is the masculine plural form of the French adjective seul, meaning “the only” or “alone.” It marks exclusivity or solitude when referring to a plural masculine noun or a mixed-gender group, and it agrees in gender and number with the noun it modifies. The feminine forms are seule (singular) and seules (plural).

Usage and position: As an attributive adjective, seul can appear before a noun to emphasize exclusivity, as in les seuls survivants (the only survivors). It can also follow a definite article in constructions such as les survivants seuls. Predicatively, it is used after a linking verb: Ils sont seuls (they are alone) or Ils vivent seuls (they live alone). When the subject is feminine or mixed, the forms align accordingly as seules.

Etymology and nuance: Seul derives from Latin solus through Old French. The word conveys a strong sense of being unique or solitary. It should be distinguished from seulement, which is an adverb meaning “only” and is used to modify verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs, rather than to modify nouns.

Examples: Les seuls témoins furent interrogés. Ils sont les seuls à savoir. Ils vivent seuls.

See also: seul, seule, seules, seulement.