Leaden: meaning, definitions and examples

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leaden

 

[ หˆlษ›d.ษ™n ]

Adjective
Context #1 | Adjective

heavy feeling

Leaden describes something that is very heavy, often giving a sense of sluggishness or dullness. It can also refer to a gray color, reminiscent of lead, evoking feelings of gloom or weightiness. In emotional contexts, it can symbolize a heavy or oppressive atmosphere, as if the air itself is dense and burdensome. The term can be applied to various scenarios, from describing the sky on a gloomy day to a person's mood when feeling downcast.

Synonyms

dull, gloomy, heavy, oppressive, sluggish

Examples of usage

  • The leaden clouds threatened to pour rain at any moment.
  • She felt a leaden weight in her chest from the sadness.
  • The room was filled with a leaden silence after the news was announced.
  • His leaden footsteps echoed in the empty hallway.

Translations

Translations of the word "leaden" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น pesado

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เคญเคพเคฐเฅ€

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช bleisch

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ berat

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ะฒะฐะถะบะธะน

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ oล‚owiany

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ้‰›ใฎใ‚ˆใ†ใช

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท lourd

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ plomo

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท kurลŸunlu

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ๋‚ฉ์˜

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ุซู‚ูŠู„

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ olovฤ›nรฝ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ olovenรฝ

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ้“…็š„

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ svinฤen

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ blรฝsnar

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ า›ะพั€า“ะฐัั‹ะฝะดั‹

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒ แƒ™แƒ˜แƒœแƒ˜แƒก

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ daลŸ

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ plomo

Etymology

The word 'leaden' originates from the Old English term 'leadian,' which is related to the word 'lead,' a heavy metal. Historically, lead was known for its weight and was often associated with lead pipes and bullets, which contributed to its connotation of heaviness. The term evolved in its usage over the centuries, commonly describing physical weight or the color gray, connecting the physical attributes of lead with emotional states. By the late Middle Ages, 'leaden' was used metaphorically to describe feelings of gloom or lethargy, mirroring the heavy, somber qualities of the metal itself. The transition from a literal to a metaphorical meaning allowed 'leaden' to gain prominence in the English language as a descriptor for both tangible objects and intangible feelings.

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #18,086, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.