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gâteux

senile

adjective gah-TOH Rare
Body & Health Health & Illness

Origin: From gâter (to spoil), in the sense of being mentally softened

Also means

doting

Usage Note

Gâteux (feminine gâteuse) describes someone, especially an elderly person, who has become mentally confused or childish through age. It can be affectionate in the expression être gâteux devant ses petits-enfants (to be totally besotted with one's grandchildren). In a neutral context it often means senile or dotty, and can be somewhat blunt.

Examples

"Le vieux monsieur est devenu un peu gâteux."

Natural Translation

The old man has become a bit senile.

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