huarache: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Specialist / Cultural
Quick answer
What does “huarache” mean?
A type of traditional Mexican sandal, originally made from woven leather, with a flat sole.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A type of traditional Mexican sandal, originally made from woven leather, with a flat sole.
Can refer to the woven, open-toed footwear style, often with a rubber sole in modern versions, or in cuisine, to a type of Mexican flatbread or taco (Sope/Huarache) shaped like the sole of the sandal.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The word is understood in both varieties, but familiarity is likely higher in American English due to greater cultural proximity and prevalence of Mexican cuisine/fashion.
Connotations
Evokes associations with Mexican/Latin American culture, casual summer wear, and artisanal or ethnic fashion.
Frequency
Rare in general British discourse; slightly more frequent in American English, particularly in southwestern states and metropolitan areas.
Grammar
How to Use “huarache” in a Sentence
[to wear] + a pair of huaraches[made of] + leather/canvas[shaped like] + a huaracheVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “huarache” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- [No standard verb use]
American English
- [No standard verb use]
adverb
British English
- [No standard adverb use]
American English
- [No standard adverb use]
adjective
British English
- [No standard adjective use]
American English
- The huarache-style sandals were popular that summer.
- He ordered a huarache taco from the menu.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in fashion retail/import (e.g., 'The boutique stocks artisanal huaraches.')
Academic
Rare; might appear in cultural studies, anthropology, or fashion history texts.
Everyday
Discussed when talking about summer shoes, travel souvenirs, or ethnic fashion (e.g., 'I bought these huaraches in Oaxaca.')
Technical
In podiatry or footwear design, may be referenced as a type of open, flat-soled footwear.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “huarache”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “huarache”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “huarache”
- Mispronunciation as /ˈhʊəræk/ or /ˈhwɑːreɪk/. Incorrect plural: 'huaraches' (correct), not 'huarache' for plural. Misspelling: 'huarachi', 'warache'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is a loanword from Mexican Spanish that is used in English to refer to a specific type of footwear or food item.
The most common pronunciation in English is /wəˈrɑːtʃi/. In American English, you may also hear /wəˈrɑːtʃeɪ/.
Yes, in a culinary context, it can refer to a type of oblong Mexican flatbread or antojito, similar to a sope, often topped with beans, meat, and salsa.
The plural is 'huaraches'. It is the same as the Spanish plural form.
A type of traditional Mexican sandal, originally made from woven leather, with a flat sole.
Huarache is usually specialist / cultural in register.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[None directly associated]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'HURRAY! A CHEap, cool sandal' -> Huarache. Or link 'huarache' to 'walk' (in Spanish 'andar') as it's something you walk in.
Conceptual Metaphor
CULTURAL AUTHENTICITY IS WEARABLE (e.g., 'wearing another culture').
Practice
Quiz
What is a 'huarache' primarily?