These Adjectives in X Will Change Your Way of Speaking (and Impress Your French Teacher)!

If you have ever tried to play the small bac with the letter X, you know how much of a challenge it is. Finding a first name? Xavier. A country? Jerez (well, it’s a city in Spain, but we won’t nitpick). An adjective? Ouch… That’s where it gets complicated! But don’t worry, today we are going to expand your vocabulary with a list of adjectives starting with X, their meanings, and some tips on how to use them. Because yes, they do exist (even if some are rarer than an albino panda in the Amazon rainforest).

Do adjectives starting with X really exist?

Before diving into the list, we have to be honest: French is not very generous with the letter X. Unlike English or Greek, where “X” is more common, in French, it is quite rare. But don’t worry, there are still a few that deserve to be known.

Here are a few adjectives starting with X that will impress your entourage

Adjective	Meaning	Example of usage
Xanthic	Having a yellowish hue	This old paper has taken on a xanthic color over time.
Xenophile	One who loves foreigners or foreign cultures	He travels everywhere, he’s a true xenophile!
Xerophytic	Living or growing in a dry environment	The cactus is a xerophytic plant perfect for arid climates.
Xerodermic	Relating to the dryness of the skin	In winter, my skin becomes completely xerodermic.
Xylographic	Related to wood engraving	This ancient book contains beautiful xylographic illustrations.

Pretty cool, right? Even though some are not words we use every day, they can be very useful if you want to enrich your vocabulary or shine in society (or impress your French teacher).

Why are these adjectives so rare?

The answer is simple: in French, words of Latin and Greek origin often lost their “X” over time, replaced by “Z” or “S”. That’s why you won’t often see verbs, adjectives, or common nouns starting with X (unless you are interested in medicine or botany).

How to use adjectives starting with X in your daily life?

Okay, you may not slip “xerodermic” into a casual conversation, but some adjectives starting with X can be really useful. Here are a few situations where they can shine:

• In writing: if you are writing a poem, an essay, or an article, using a rare word like “xenophile” can give a stylish effect and showcase your mastery of vocabulary.
• In an intellectual conversation: a fancy dinner? A discussion with your professor? “I am quite a xenophile, I love discovering new cultures!” (and there, bam, you earn points).
• In word games and linguistic challenges: small bac, Scrabble, crossword puzzles… A good “xyphophage” can save you and earn you a ton of points!

The fascinating etymology of words starting with X

Most adjectives starting with X come from Ancient Greek, where the “X” (pronounced “ks”) was a very common letter. For example:

• “Xénos” means “foreigner” → xenophile (one who loves foreigners)
• “Xeros” means “dry” → xerodermic (having dry skin)

If you ever want to invent new words starting with X (because after all, why not?), think of Greek roots, and you might create entirely new terms!

The ultimate test: can you place these adjectives in a sentence?

Now that you know a few adjectives starting with X, here’s a little challenge: try to use them in a sentence during the week! If you really want to push yourself, place them in a normal conversation without your interlocutor noticing. And if you succeed, come tell us about your achievement in the comments!

Do you want even more rare vocabulary?

If you are passionate about words, we have what you need! Discover our complete guide on rare and forgotten adjectives that will enrich your vocabulary like never before. And if you enjoyed this article, share it with your friends (to impress them with your new linguistic knowledge)!