vieux

Vieux is a French adjective meaning old or aged. It is used to describe masculine nouns and agrees in gender and number with the noun it modifies. The standard masculine singular form is vieux, while before a vowel or h muet the form vieil is used (as in vieil homme). The feminine singular is vieille, and the plural forms are vieux for masculine and vieilles for feminine. Common phrases include le vieux quartier (the old neighborhood), la vieille ville (the old town), and le vieil homme. In informal speech, le vieux can refer to an elderly man or be used affectionately for a longtime friend.

Etymology and usage notes: vieux derives from Old French and ultimately from Latin vetus, meaning old. The alternation vieil before vowels is a historical phonetic adjustment typical of French adjective morphology. The word appears in many compound names and expressions to indicate the historic or aged aspect of a place, object, or person.

Geography and toponymy: In French toponymy, the term occurs in many place names and neighborhood identifiers, signaling the historic center or an older section of a town. Examples include Le Vieux-Port (the Old Port) in Marseille and Vieux-Boucau-les-Bains, a commune in southwestern France. The component is also found in other local names across French-speaking regions.

People and culture: Vieux can function as a surname or given name. Notable individuals include Vieux Farka Touré, a Malian guitarist and singer, whose name preserves the word as an element of identity. In broader usage, Vieux may appear in nicknames or titles that emphasize age or tradition.