How Do You Make a Chapeau Plural?

The word "chapeau" has two accepted plural forms: chapeaux and chapeaus. Both are commonly used, though "chapeaux" is often considered the more traditional form, directly adhering to its French origin.

Understanding "Chapeau" Pluralization

"Chapeau" is a French loanword meaning "hat." As with many words adopted into English from other languages, especially French, it can form its plural in one of two ways: by retaining its original foreign pluralization rule or by adopting the standard English pluralization rule.

The French Plural: Chapeaux

This form follows the grammatical rules of the French language. In French, many nouns ending in "-eau" form their plural by adding an "-x" to the end.

• Form: chapeaux
• Pronunciation: sha-POHZ (similar to "shah-pohz")
• Usage: Often preferred in more formal contexts or when emphasizing the word's French heritage.

Examples:

• The fashion show featured an array of elegant chapeaux.
• He collected antique military chapeaux from various eras.

The Anglicized Plural: Chapeaus

This form follows the standard English rule for making nouns plural, which is simply adding an "-s" to the end of the word.

• Form: chapeaus
• Pronunciation: sha-POHZ (similar to "shah-pohz")
• Usage: Increasingly common in everyday English, as it conforms to the more familiar pluralization patterns.

Examples:

• She tried on several different chapeaus before deciding on one.
• The children decorated their own silly chapeaus for the party.

Comparing the Plural Forms

Both "chapeaux" and "chapeaus" are correct. The choice between them often comes down to stylistic preference or the specific context.

Ultimately, while "chapeaux" maintains the original linguistic integrity, "chapeaus" offers a simpler, more intuitive pluralization for English speakers. Both are widely understood and accepted.