el lleno

Definition & meaning

The word lleno functions primarily as an adjective and refers to something that is full, occupied, or complete.

1. Full (capacity): When something contains as much as it can hold, such as a container, a room, or a space. For example, a glass full of water (un vaso lleno?).
2. Crowded/Packed: When a place, such as a theater, restaurant, or street, is occupied by many people.
3. Satiated: Used to describe a person who has eaten enough food and is no longer hungry (estar lleno?).
4. Complete/Total: In some contexts, it can mean absolute or entire, such as "in full light" (a pleno sol?).

Grammar & Word origin

• Grammar: It is an adjective that must agree in gender and number with the noun it describes (lleno, llena, llenos, llenas). It can also function as a noun in the phrase "el lleno," referring to a capacity crowd at an event.
• Word origin: It derives from the Latin word plenus, which carries the same meaning of full or complete. It is the etymological root of many English words as well, such as "plenty" and "plenary."

Synonyms & antonyms

Synonyms:

• Rebosante? (overflowing)
• Completo? (complete)
• Atiborrado? (stuffed/crammed)
• Satisfecho? (satisfied/full from eating)

Antonyms:

• Vacío? (empty)
• Hueco? (hollow)
• Desocupado? (vacant)