el magro

Definition & meaning

The word magro is an adjective used primarily to describe:

1. Lean meat: It refers to meat that contains very little or no fat. In a culinary context, it is used to distinguish the lean portions of an animal from the fatty ones.
2. Meager or sparse: In a broader, figurative sense, it describes something that is insufficient, thin, poor, or lacking in abundance. For example, a "magro salario" refers to a meager or low salary.
3. Physical appearance: It can describe a person or animal that is very thin, skinny, or gaunt.

Grammar & Word origin

Grammar: It is an adjective. Because it ends in 'o', it changes to 'magra' when modifying a feminine noun. It is often used in the masculine form as a noun in culinary contexts (e.g., "el magro de cerdo" or "pork lean meat").

Origin: The word comes from the Latin macer, which means "thin" or "lean."

Synonyms & antonyms

Synonyms:

• Flaco ↗: Used to describe someone thin or lacking fat.
• Enjuto ↗: Refers to someone who is lean, dry, or gaunt.
• Escaso ↗: Used when referring to the figurative meaning of something being insufficient or meager.
• Desgrasado ↗: Specifically refers to food that has had the fat removed.

Antonyms:

• Gordo ↗: The opposite of thin or lean; fat.
• Graso ↗: Refers to something that is fatty or oily.
• Abundante ↗: The opposite of meager; plentiful or abundant.