German word

prall

Pronunciation

IPA/pral/

Meaning

  • adjectivebulging

Example

Die pralle Tasche war schwer.

The bulging bag was heavy.

Illustration for prall (bulging)

More examples

Die Dose war prall gefüllt.

The can was packed full.

Core concept

A full object has no slack left and forms a noticeably rounded, tense shape.

Common phrases

  • pralle Tasche

    bulging bag

  • pralle Wangen

    plump cheeks

  • prall gefüllt

    packed full

Similar words

voll: Containing as much as possible, leaving little room inside.
gespannt: Pulled tight and firm across the surface.
aufgebläht: Expanded outward because of pressure or excess contents.

Definition in German

kräftig gewölbt oder aufgebläht wirkend und dabei nicht locker oder schlaff, oft durch Füllung verursacht

Word origin

Prall is inherited German vocabulary, attested in Middle High German as bral, and its meaning centers on a strongly full or bulging condition.

Usage tips

  • Pralle Sonne is a separate common expression meaning intense, glaring sunshine, not sunshine that is physically swollen.

Other meanings

  • fulladjective
  • packedadjective
  • tautadjective

Opposites

  • leeremptyadjective
  • schlafflimpadjective

Related words

  • prallenreboundverb
  • prallvollpacked fulladjective

Word lists with this word