cuadrilla: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1/C2Formal, Technical, Historical
Quick answer
What does “cuadrilla” mean?
A small crew, team, or gang of workers, typically performing manual labour or specialized tasks together.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A small crew, team, or gang of workers, typically performing manual labour or specialized tasks together.
1) Historically, a bullfighting team consisting of a matador and his assistants. 2) A small armed band or group of revolutionaries/rebels (historical, Latin America). 3) A circle or group of close friends or associates (borrowed in Philippine English).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The bullfighting sense is understood more readily in UK English due to cultural proximity to Spain. The 'armed band' sense is primarily encountered in US English in historical contexts concerning Latin America.
Connotations
Generally neutral when referring to a work crew. May carry a slightly negative connotation when referring to an armed group. The bullfighting sense is culturally specific.
Frequency
Very low frequency in both varieties. Slightly higher occurrence in US English in academic/historical texts about Latin America.
Grammar
How to Use “cuadrilla” in a Sentence
[cuadrilla] + [of + NOUN (workers, rebels)][The] + [cuadrilla] + [VERB (works, travelled, was hired)]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “cuadrilla” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- N/A – noun only
American English
- N/A – noun only
adverb
British English
- N/A – noun only
American English
- N/A – noun only
adjective
British English
- N/A – noun only
American English
- N/A – noun only
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in specific industries like agriculture or construction management with Spanish-speaking labour: 'The cuadrilla will finish the harvest by Friday.'
Academic
Used in history, Latin American studies, and cultural studies texts: 'The rebel cuadrilla operated in the mountainous region.'
Everyday
Virtually never used.
Technical
Used in agriculture, viticulture, and certain trades to describe a contracted team of labourers.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “cuadrilla”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “cuadrilla”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “cuadrilla”
- Mispronouncing it as /ˈkʌdrɪlə/ (like 'cud').
- Using it as a general synonym for any 'group' or 'team'.
- Capitalising it as a proper noun when not referring to a specific, named group.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a low-frequency loanword used in specific technical, historical, or cultural contexts.
'Crew' is a very general term (film crew, cabin crew). 'Cuadrilla' is more specific, implying a small team, often of manual labourers, and carries a Spanish/Latin American cultural nuance.
In Philippine English, influenced by Spanish, it can. In general international English, this sense is very rare and context-dependent.
In British English, say /kwəˈdrɪl(j)ə/ (kwa-DRIL-ya). In American English, say /kwɑːˈdriː(j)ə/ (kwah-DREE-ya). The double 'l' is pronounced like a 'y' sound.
A small crew, team, or gang of workers, typically performing manual labour or specialized tasks together.
Cuadrilla is usually formal, technical, historical in register.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None in standard English. In Spanish: 'estar en la cuadrilla' (to be part of the inner circle/team).”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a **QUAD** bike carrying a **DRILL** crew – a 'cuadrilla' is a crew with tools (or tasks) working together.
Conceptual Metaphor
A WORKFORCE IS A UNIT / A TEAM IS A BODY (e.g., 'The cuadrilla moved as one through the vineyard').
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the word 'cuadrilla' most appropriately used in modern English?