French Conversation · Level 21
89 words
French word
plein
Pronunciation
IPA/plɛ̃/
Meaning
- adjectivefull
Example
Le verre est plein.
The glass is full.
More examples
La salle était pleine de monde.
The room was full of people.
Core concept
A space or container packed with contents until its capacity is reached.
Common phrases
plein de
full of ___
plein à craquer
full to bursting
Similar words
rempli: Filled with something so that no room remains.
complet: Having all required parts and lacking nothing.
bondé: Crowded with people or objects packed closely together.
Definition in French
Au sens propre, signifie « rempli » ; en langue familière, très courant pour indiquer une grande quantité dans des constructions comme « Il y a plein de… ».
Word origin
The adjective plein developed from Latin plenus through Old French, while the familiar quantity use grew from the idea of having a great deal present.
Usage tips
- Plein de is common in conversation, whereas beaucoup de is generally safer in formal writing when expressing a large quantity.
Other meanings
- plentifuladjective
- full tanknoun
Opposites
- videemptyadjective
Related words
- pleinementfullyadverb