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lunatique

moody, temperamental

adjective loo-nah-TEEK Rare
Descriptions & Qualities Personality

Origin: Latin lunaticus, from luna (moon) — reflecting the belief that the moon influenced mood

Also means

capricious

Usage Note

Lunatique describes a person whose mood or behaviour shifts unpredictably — closer to 'mercurial' than to the English false friend 'lunatic' (which implies madness, not mere moodiness). It is invariable in gender: un homme lunatique, une femme lunatique. The connection to lune (moon) is felt by French speakers, reinforcing the idea of fluctuating states.

Examples

"Il est lunatique : joyeux le matin, irritable le soir."

Natural Translation

He is moody: cheerful in the morning, irritable in the evening.

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