éleveur
/el.vœʁ/
In French, the word for a professional plant or animal breeder is éleveur.
The term éleveur refers to someone whose profession involves breeding or raising animals or plants. To specify exactly what is being bred, you can use the construction éleveur de followed by the subject, such as éleveur de chiens for a dog breeder.
Meaning: (professional) plant or animal breeder (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The noun éleveur is derived from the verb élever, which means to raise, breed or lift up.
Which one should you use?
While éleveur is the standard term, Reproducteur is a formal masculine term that specifically emphasizes the reproductive aspect of breeding.
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun changes based on gender and number: éleveuse is the feminine form for a female breeder, éleveurs is the masculine or mixed plural form and éleveur is the masculine singular form.
How do you pronounce it?
/el.vœʁ/
Did you know?
- In French, an éleveur of snails is a highly specialized profession called 'héliciculture'. These professionals are often regarded as artisans of gourmet cuisine.
- The word élever is a polysemous verb that connects the domestication of animals with the spiritual concept of 'elevating' one's soul.
- The verb élever is used both for breeding animals and for raising children. A parent who raises a child is essentially 'breeding' or 'elevating' them in French.
Examples in context
- Les reproductrices de cette espèce nécessitent une attention particulière.The breeders of this species require special attention.
- Tu connais un bon éleveur de chiens près d'ici ?Do you know a good dog breeder near here?
- Le salon de l'agriculture accueille de nombreux éleveurs de bétail.The agricultural fair welcomes many livestock breeders.
- La filière avicole cherche à promouvoir de jeunes éleveuses de volailles.The poultry industry is looking to promote young female poultry breeders.
- J'admire le savoir-faire de cet éleveur qui produit d'incroyables plantes carnivores.I admire the expertise of this breeder who produces incredible carnivorous plants.
- Ma sœur est devenue éleveuse de chats par passion.My sister became a cat breeder out of passion.
- Il est éleveur de chevaux.He is a horse breeder.
- Cet éleveur de chiens est très connu.This dog breeder is very well known.
- Nous cherchons un éleveur de lapins.We are looking for a rabbit breeder.
Example conversation
Léa and Nathan are discussing a potential new pet.
- LéaConnais-tu un bon éleveur de chats ?Do you know a good cat breeder?
- NathanOui, mon frère est un éleveur professionnel.Yes, my brother is a professional breeder.
- LéaC'est super, il est très sérieux ?That's great, is he very serious?
- NathanOui, il prend grand soin de ses animaux.Yes, he takes great care of his animals.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry éleveur, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
