conquistador: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal, Historical, Literary, sometimes figurative.
Quick answer
What does “conquistador” mean?
A Spanish conqueror or explorer in the Americas during the 16th century.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A Spanish conqueror or explorer in the Americas during the 16th century.
By extension, any conqueror or person who forcefully overcomes an obstacle, often used metaphorically to describe an aggressive achiever or ambitious figure in modern contexts.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant spelling or usage difference. The historical and modern figurative meanings are identical in both varieties.
Connotations
Slightly more likely to be encountered in British English in historical or academic contexts due to traditional curriculum focus on European history. In American English, it may be more frequently used in contexts relating to the history of the Southwestern United States.
Frequency
Low frequency in both, slightly higher in academic/historical texts. Figurative use is equally uncommon in both varieties.
Grammar
How to Use “conquistador” in a Sentence
conquistador of [place/territory]conquistador like [name]conquistador who [past tense verb phrase]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “conquistador” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- 'To conquistador' is not a standard verb. Use 'conquer'.
American English
- 'To conquistador' is not a standard verb. Use 'conquer'.
adverb
British English
- No established adverb form.
American English
- No established adverb form.
adjective
British English
- 'Conquistadorial' is a rare, formal adjective. 'His conquistadorial ambitions were clear.'
American English
- 'Conquistadorial' is a rare, formal adjective. 'The CEO's conquistadorial style reshaped the market.'
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare; used metaphorically to describe an aggressive, empire-building CEO or entrepreneur. 'He was seen as a conquistador of the tech industry.'
Academic
Common in history, anthropology, and post-colonial studies. 'The impact of the conquistadors on Mesoamerican societies was catastrophic.'
Everyday
Very rare. Might be used in a figurative, often critical way. 'Stop acting like a conquistador with my biscuits!'
Technical
Specific to historical texts, archaeological reports, and cultural studies.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “conquistador”
- Incorrect plural: 'conquistadors' (correct) is far more common than the Spanish-style 'conquistadores' in English, though the latter is also acceptable.
- Mispronunciation: Stressing the first syllable (CON-quistador) instead of the second (con-QUIST-ador).
- Using it as a generic term for any explorer without the connotation of armed conquest.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Both are acceptable in English. 'Conquistadors' (anglicized) is more common in general use, while 'conquistadores' (Spanish) is often used in academic or more precise historical writing.
It is highly context-dependent. Historically, it is neutral-descriptive but associated with negative actions (brutality, disease, colonialism). Figuratively, it can be admiring of ambition or critical of ruthlessness.
Primarily, no. It is intrinsically linked to Spain. For other conquerors, terms like 'conqueror', 'invader', or specific titles (e.g., 'Norman conquerors') are used.
It is pronounced as a /k/ sound. In British IPA: /kɒnˈkwɪstədɔː/, in American IPA: /kɑːnˈkistədɔːr/.
A Spanish conqueror or explorer in the Americas during the 16th century.
Conquistador is usually formal, historical, literary, sometimes figurative. in register.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[He/She] entered the room like a conquistador.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'The CONQUISTador CONQUIST-ered the New World.' The word contains 'conquest'.
Conceptual Metaphor
AMBITION/SUCCESS IS CONQUEST. A person is a conquistador. An industry/field is a new world.
Practice
Quiz
In modern figurative use, calling a businessperson a 'conquistador' most likely implies they are: