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peureux

fearful, timid

adjective puh-RUH Rare

Usage Note

Peureux describes a person or animal that is easily frightened — it can be affectionate ('mon chien est un peu peureux') or dismissive ('quel peureux!'). The feminine is peureuse. It differs from craintif (wary, apprehensive) in implying a more general fearfulness rather than wariness of a specific threat.

Examples

"Mon chat est très peureux avec les étrangers."

Natural Translation

My cat is very timid with strangers.

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