entero
Comí la manzana entera.
I ate the whole apple.
Complete, not divided or broken into parts.
El pastel se vendió entero.
The whole cake was sold.
Often used with foods, objects, or abstract concepts to indicate entirety.
In mathematics, an integer (not a fraction).
El número 5 es entero.
The number 5 is an integer.
In medicine, referring to the gastrointestinal tract (intestines).
El médico revisó el tracto entero.
The doctor examined the entire tract.
In law, a single, undivided entity or document.
El contrato se firmó en un documento entero.
The contract was signed in a single document.
Collocations
Synonyms
Antonyms
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Avoid confusion with 'honest'
While 'entero' can mean 'whole,' it does NOT mean 'honest.' For 'honest,' use 'honesto' or 'íntegro.' Example: 'Es un hombre íntegro' (He is an honest man).
Gold Rule
Use 'entero' for completeness
Use 'entero' when referring to something that is not divided or broken. For abstract concepts like 'the whole truth,' use 'la verdad entera.'
Word Origin
From Latin *integer* (whole, untouched), which also gives English 'integer' and 'integral'. The word entered Spanish via Old Spanish 'enter' (13th century), evolving to 'entero' by the 15th century.
Usage Notes
In everyday speech, 'entero' is often used interchangeably with 'completo' but carries a slightly more formal tone. In mathematics, it specifically refers to integers (whole numbers). Avoid using 'entero' to mean 'honest'—use 'íntegro' or 'honesto' instead.