infló

Infló is a form of the Spanish verb inflar. It is the third-person singular preterite (pretérito) of inflar, meaning that it corresponds to “he inflated,” “she inflated,” or “you formal inflated.” The verb inflar means to fill something with air, gas, or another substance to increase its size or shape. It can refer to inflating physical objects such as a balloon, tire, or air mattress, as well as filling with gas or air in medical, industrial, or culinary contexts.

Etymology and form: inflar comes from Latin inflare, from in- “in” plus flare “to blow.” The accent on the final syllable in infló marks the stressed position in this past tense form. Related forms include infló (preterite, third person singular), infla (present), inflaba (imperfect), and inflarán (future, third person plural), among others.

Usage notes: In everyday Spanish, inflar is commonly used with objects that are physically filled with air: inflar un globo, inflar un neumático, inflar un colchón. The verb can also be used figuratively to indicate exaggerating or expanding something, for example inflar las cifras or inflar el ego (though hinchar is another common synonym in ego contexts). The term infló appears in narrative past tense to describe a completed inflation event.

See also: inflar; hinchar; inflation.