What’s the Plural of Bureau? Understanding Correct Usage in English Grammar

Bureau, Bureaus, Bureaux — See the Pattern

The word bureau comes from French. In French, words that end in -eau get an -x to become plural. But in English, we usually just add -s.

Look at these French words in English. Can you see the two ways to make them plural?

• one bureau → two bureaus or bureaux
• one plateau → two plateaus or plateaux
• one tableau → two tableaus or tableaux

Did you see the pattern? You can add -s (the English way) or -x (the French way). Both are correct, but -s is much more common.

When to Use Bureaus and When to Use Bureaux

Both bureaus and bureaux are correct. The one you choose depends on where you are writing:

• American English: Always use bureaus. The -x ending is very rare in the US.
• British English: Both bureaus and bureaux are fine. Most people use bureaus, but bureaux appears in formal writing.

The word bureau has two meanings:

• An office or agency — like the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
• A piece of furniture — a desk or a set of drawers

The plural rule is the same for both meanings. Whether you mean offices or furniture, the plural is bureaus (or bureaux).

Easy way to remember: If you are not sure which to use, pick bureaus. It works everywhere — American, British, formal, or casual.

How to Use Bureau and Bureaus in Everyday English

• The news company has bureaus in London and New York. (offices in different cities)
• She found two old wooden bureaus at the market. (pieces of furniture)
• The government runs several bureaus to help people with money and jobs. (agencies)
• He put his clothes in the bureau next to his bed. (one piece of furniture)
• Both bureaus in the bedroom need painting. (more than one piece of furniture)

You are doing great. Now let’s look at the mistakes many learners make with this word.

Two Mistakes to Avoid With Bureau

Even native speakers pause before writing the plural of bureau — so if this word confuses you, you are not alone. The French spelling makes it look harder than it really is.

How to remember: Never add both -x AND -s. Pick one ending. Add -s to get bureaus, or change the ending to -x to get bureaux. Do not write “bureauxs” or “bureaues” — those are not real words.

Other words from French that follow the same pattern: plateau → plateaus, tableau → tableaus, chateau → chateaus.

Test Yourself: Bureau or Bureaus?

Choose the correct answer for each sentence. Click Check to see if you are right.

Keep Going — You Are Building Something

You just learned that bureau becomes bureaus (or bureaux). That is one more unusual plural you will never get wrong again.

But here is something interesting. The word formula also comes from another language — Latin. And just like bureau, it has two plural forms: formulas and formulae. But which one should you use? And is one of them wrong?

Next lesson: What Is the Plural of Formula?

Sources

1. Definition of bureau.
2. Synonyms for bureau.
3. Origin of the word bureau.