Lump in Irish (Meall): Meaning, Pronunciation & Examples

Q: What is the Irish for lump?

The Irish for lump is meall (pronounced “myowl”). It’s a masculine noun and the plural is meallta. Depending on context it can also mean swelling or heap.

Q: What is the plural of lump in Irish?

The plural of meall is meallta; with the article, na meallta means “the lumps”. The genitive plural is meallta, as in cruth na meallta (the shape of the lumps).

Q: Does meall have more than one meaning?

Yes. Meall can mean lump, swelling or heap, depending on context; the first is the most common. Meall also has its own entry as a verb meaning to entice.

How to say “lump” in Irish

Irish:: meall
English:: lump, swelling, heap
Word type:: noun
Gender:: masculine, first declension
Pronunciation:: “myowl” /mʲal̪ˠ/

Various forms

Plural:: meallta (lumps)
Genitive singular:: mill, an mhill (e.g. méid an mhill, the size of the lump)
Genitive plural:: meallta, na meallta (e.g. cruth na meallta, the shape of the lumps)

What does “meall” mean?

“Meall” has three alternative meanings. The most common comes first.

lump: A rounded mass or lump of something.Also: mass, ball, knob.

2 other meanings: swelling or heap

2swelling: A swelling or protuberance on the body, such as a lump or tumour.Also: protuberance, tumour, growth.
3heap: A large heap, pile or crowd of things or people.Also: pile, crowd, bunch.

Other Irish words for lump: cnap (lump), ailp (lump), lumpa (lump), cnapán (lump)

Other entries for “meall”

The same spelling has its own page as:

meallto entice · verb

“Meall” with the article

The plural of lump in Irish is meallta. Here is meall after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.

an meall

the lump

No change after an

na meallta

the lumps

Plural: no change after na

“Meall” in a sentence: Irish examples

Common Irish sentences using meall, the Irish word for lump.

Tá meall ar mo lámh le seachtain.

There's been a lump on my hand for a week.

Rinne na páistí meall mór sneachta.

The children made a big snowball.

Bhain an dochtúir an meall amach.

The doctor removed the lump.

Bhí meallta guail sa bhosca.

There were lumps of coal in the box.

Ní raibh pian ar bith sa mheall.

There was no pain at all in the lump.

Bhí meall ina scornach aici.

She had a lump in her throat.

Cén fáth a bhfuil an meall seo ar a cheann?

Why is there this lump on his head?

Other nouns in Irish

More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.

rásaying comharcooperation trábeach tráebb measrespect scilskill

Lump in Irish: frequently asked questions

What is the Irish for lump?

The Irish for lump is meall (pronounced “myowl”). It’s a masculine noun and the plural is meallta. Depending on context it can also mean swelling or heap.

How do you pronounce meall in Irish?

Meall is said like “myowl” (IPA /mʲal̪ˠ/).

What is the plural of lump in Irish?

The plural of meall is meallta; with the article, na meallta means “the lumps”. The genitive plural is meallta, as in cruth na meallta (the shape of the lumps).

Does meall have more than one meaning?

Yes. Meall can mean lump, swelling or heap, depending on context; the first is the most common. Meall also has its own entry as a verb meaning to entice.

Why does meall change to mheall?

After words like mo (my) and do (your) the first letter is lenited: mo mheall. After ár (our) it stays ár meall, because m does not take eclipsis.

Is 'meall' the noun the same as the verb 'meall'?

No. The verb meall means to entice or deceive (Mheall a glór mé, her voice beguiled me); the noun meall means a lump or mass.

What is the difference between 'meall' and 'cnap'?

Both mean lump: cnap is the everyday word for a lump or knob, while meall often suggests a rounded mass or a swelling, as in meall sneachta.

Lump in Irish (Meall): Meaning, Pronunciation, Usage