sèche

Sèche is the feminine form of the French adjective sec, meaning dry or arid. It agrees with feminine nouns; the masculine form is sec, the feminine plural is sèches, and the masculine plural is secs.

As an adjective, sèche describes a lack of moisture in people, objects, climates, or conditions. Common examples include la peau sèche (dry skin), la terre sèche (dry land), une plante sèche (a dried plant), and la saison sèche (a dry season) in tropical climates.

Etymology and usage: Sèche derives from Latin siccus, through Old French sec. The feminine form with -e reflects the gender agreement pattern of French adjectives. It is primarily used with feminine nouns; for masculine nouns the form sec is used, and in the plural the forms secs (masculine) or sèches (feminine) apply accordingly. In everyday language, sèche appears in many expressions related to dryness, such as describe climate, weather, or textures of materials.

Notes: While sèche functions mainly as an adjective, it does not stand alone as a common noun in modern French. Its meaning is closely tied to the concept of moisture absence, and its exact nuance can vary with context—from physical dryness to figurative dryness in style or tone.