Hollow in Irish (Com): Meaning, Pronunciation & Examples

Q: What is the Irish for hollow?

The Irish for hollow is com (pronounced “kum”). It’s a masculine noun and the plural is comanna. Depending on context it can also mean waist.

Q: What is the plural of hollow in Irish?

The plural of com is comanna; with the article, na comanna means “the hollows”. The genitive plural is comanna, as in bun na gcomanna (the bottom of the hollows).

Q: Does com have more than one meaning?

Yes. Com can mean hollow or waist, depending on context; the first is the most common.

How to say “hollow” in Irish

Irish:: com
English:: hollow, waist
Word type:: noun
Gender:: masculine, first declension
Pronunciation:: “kum” /kʊmˠ/

Various forms

Plural:: comanna (hollows)
Genitive singular:: coim, an choim (e.g. imeall an choim, the edge of the hollow)
Genitive plural:: comanna, na gcomanna (e.g. bun na gcomanna, the bottom of the hollows)

What does “com” mean?

“Com” has two alternative meanings. The most common comes first.

hollow: A hollow or bowl-shaped valley in mountains, a coomb or corrie.Also: coomb, corrie, cirque, mountain hollow.

1 other meaning: waist

2waist: The waist or middle part of the body; in standard Irish 'coim' is the usual word for this.Also: middle, trunk.

Other Irish words for hollow: cuas (cavity), log (hollow), toll (hollow)

“Com” with the article

The plural of hollow in Irish is comanna. Here is com after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.

an com

the hollow

No change after an

na comanna

the hollows

Plural: no change after na

“Com” in a sentence: Irish examples

Common Irish sentences using com, the Irish word for hollow.

Tá loch beag sa chom thuas ar an sliabh.

There is a small lake in the hollow up on the mountain.

Shiúlamar isteach sa chom tráthnóna.

We walked into the coomb in the evening.

Bhí ceo ag líonadh an choim.

Fog was filling the hollow.

Tá go leor comanna sna sléibhte sin.

There are many hollows in those mountains.

Is álainn an com é faoi sholas na gréine.

It is a beautiful hollow in the sunlight.

Chuir sí a lámh timpeall a choim.

She put her arm around his waist.

Tá caoirigh ag innilt i gcom an ghleanna.

Sheep are grazing in the hollow of the glen.

Other nouns in Irish

More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.

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Hollow in Irish: frequently asked questions

What is the Irish for hollow?

The Irish for hollow is com (pronounced “kum”). It’s a masculine noun and the plural is comanna. Depending on context it can also mean waist.

How do you pronounce com in Irish?

Com is said like “kum” (IPA /kʊmˠ/).

What is the plural of hollow in Irish?

The plural of com is comanna; with the article, na comanna means “the hollows”. The genitive plural is comanna, as in bun na gcomanna (the bottom of the hollows).

Does com have more than one meaning?

Yes. Com can mean hollow or waist, depending on context; the first is the most common.

Why does com change to chom or gcom?

Irish changes the start of some words after certain words. After mo (my) com becomes mo chom (lenition), and after ár (our) or i (in) it becomes ár gcom (eclipsis).

What is the difference between 'com' and 'coim'?

In standard Irish 'coim' is the usual word for 'waist', while 'com' mainly means a mountain hollow or coomb, though in some dialects 'com' is also used for the waist.

Is the English place-name word 'coom' from 'com'?

Yes, Kerry and Cork place names with 'Coom' come from Irish 'com', meaning a mountain hollow.

Hollow in Irish (Com): Meaning, Pronunciation, Usage