hombre: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowInformal, slang
Quick answer
What does “hombre” mean?
A man, especially one with particular characteristics (often used in informal American English, borrowed from Spanish).
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A man, especially one with particular characteristics (often used in informal American English, borrowed from Spanish).
Often used to refer to a man, sometimes with connotations of toughness, reliability, or a particular type of character (e.g., 'a tough hombre'). In some contexts, it can be used as a direct address, similar to 'man' or 'dude'.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The word is almost exclusively used in American English, particularly influenced by Western and Southwestern US culture. It is very rare in British English.
Connotations
In American English, it often connotes a rugged, tough, or no-nonsense man, sometimes with a cowboy or outlaw vibe. In the rare British usage, it would likely be perceived as an Americanism.
Frequency
Very low frequency in British English; low to moderate in specific informal registers of American English (e.g., in Western genres, casual speech among certain groups).
Grammar
How to Use “hombre” in a Sentence
[Determiner] + hombre[Adjective] + hombreVocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Not used.
Everyday
Rare, used in very informal American settings, often for stylistic effect.
Technical
Not used.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “hombre”
- Using it in formal writing.
- Pronouncing it as /ˈhɒmbə/ (with a sounded 'h').
- Overusing it outside of American informal contexts.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is strictly informal and considered slang in English.
It is borrowed directly from Spanish, where it means 'man'.
It would sound very unusual and be perceived as an Americanism. Terms like 'mate' or simply 'man' are more common.
No, it is silent. The standard pronunciation is /ˈɑːmbreɪ/ in American English.
A man, especially one with particular characteristics (often used in informal American English, borrowed from Spanish).
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “He's a tough hombre to crack.”
- “I wouldn't mess with that hombre.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a classic Western movie: the tough cowboy is the 'hombre' in town.
Conceptual Metaphor
A MAN IS A CHARACTER (from a specific genre/culture).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'hombre' most appropriately used?