nuageux
/nɥa.ʒø/
The English word "cloudy" is translated into French as nuageux.
nuageux is used to describe weather or a sky that is covered with or characterized by clouds. If you want to be more detailed when describing a sky covered with clouds, you can say Le ciel est couvert de nuages. To specify that the sky is very cloudy, use Le ciel est très nuageux.
Meaning: covered with or characterised by clouds (adj)
What does it mean word for word?
The adjective nuageux is derived from the noun nuage, which means "cloud".
Which one should you use?
While nuageux means cloudy, the word couvert is often used specifically to describe an overcast sky where the clouds are more dense and uniform.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Quebecois, you may encounter the expression Y fait frette pis y'a des gros nuages, which means "It's cold and there are big clouds".
How does it change in a sentence?
The masculine singular is nuageux, and the masculine plural remains nuageux because adjectives ending in -x do not change in the masculine plural. The feminine singular is nuageuse, and the feminine plural is nuageuses.
How do you pronounce it?
/nɥa.ʒø/
Did you know?
- In some French regional dialects, a very thick cloud or fog is called une purée de pois, which literally translates to 'a pea soup'.
- While nuageux describes a cloudy sky, the French use the phrase avoir la tête dans les nuages to describe someone who is daydreaming or absent-minded.
- In many French-speaking regions, people use the word grisaille to describe the specific mood of a cloudy, grey day, rather than using an adjective like nuageux.
Examples in context
- Ce sera nuageux demain.It will be cloudy tomorrow.This sentence shows how to use nuageux to talk about the weather tomorrow.Tatoeba #820591 by sacredceltic, translation #323309 by darinmex
- Le ciel devient nuageux.The sky is becoming cloudy.This sentence shows the sky becoming nuageux.Tatoeba #3139272 by Aiji, translation #18274 by CK
- Tout à coup, le temps devint nuageux.All of a sudden, it became cloudy.This sentence describes a sudden change in weather becoming nuageux.Tatoeba #1213104 by sacredceltic, translation #280646 by CK
- Les journées sont nuageusesThe days are cloudy
- La matinée est nuageuseThe morning is cloudy
- 23 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Léa and Hugo are planning a walk in the park.
- LéaLe temps est très nuageux aujourd'hui.The weather is very cloudy today.
- HugoOui, je pense qu'il va pleuvoir.Yes, I think it's going to rain.
- LéaOn devrait peut-être rester à la maison.Maybe we should stay at home.
- HugoTu as raison, Hugo est d'accord.You are right, Hugo agrees.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “cloudy” translations and entries nuageux, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
