renegado: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Rare / Archaic / LiteraryLiterary, historical, dramatic, or journalistic (often with an archaic flavour).
Quick answer
What does “renegado” mean?
A person who deserts and betrays an organization, country, or set of principles, aligning themselves with the enemy or an opposing side.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A person who deserts and betrays an organization, country, or set of principles, aligning themselves with the enemy or an opposing side.
More broadly, a traitor or turncoat; historically, a Christian who converted to Islam in the context of Mediterranean conflicts.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in modern usage as both dialects now overwhelmingly use 'renegade'. 'Renegado' is equally archaic in both.
Connotations
Conveys an archaic, possibly Spanish/Mediterranean historical context when used.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in both. Its use is a conscious stylistic choice.
Grammar
How to Use “renegado” in a Sentence
[Person] was branded a renegado.He turned renegado and joined the pirates.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “renegado” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The renegado priest was hunted by the Inquisition.
- They captured a renegado galleon.
American English
- The renegado soldier faced a court-martial.
- He lived a renegado life among the corsairs.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
May appear in historical studies, particularly of Mediterranean piracy, religion, or colonial conflicts.
Everyday
Not used in everyday conversation.
Technical
Not used in technical contexts.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “renegado”
- Using 'renegado' in contemporary contexts where 'renegade' is appropriate.
- Misspelling as 'renegade-o' or 'renagado'.
- Assuming it is the standard modern term.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Essentially yes, but it's not merely a spelling variant. 'Renegado' is an archaic form borrowed directly from Spanish/Portuguese, primarily used in historical contexts, while 'renegade' is the modern, standard English term.
Only if you are aiming for a specific archaic, historical, or stylized effect (e.g., in historical fiction, poetry, or to evoke a particular era). In all standard modern contexts, use 'renegade'.
It entered English in the late 16th century from Spanish and Portuguese 'renegado', meaning 'apostate' or 'turncoat', which itself came from Medieval Latin 'renegatus', from the verb 'renegare' (to deny).
No, 'renegado' itself is a noun (and can be used attributively as an adjective). The associated verb in historical contexts was 'to renegade' or 'to turn renegado', but the modern verb is 'to renege' (which has a different, though related, meaning of going back on a promise).
A person who deserts and betrays an organization, country, or set of principles, aligning themselves with the enemy or an opposing side.
Renegado is usually literary, historical, dramatic, or journalistic (often with an archaic flavour). in register.
Renegado: in British English it is pronounced /ˌrɛnɪˈɡɑːdəʊ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌrɛnɪˈɡeɪdoʊ/ or /ˌrɛnɪˈɡɑːdoʊ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “To turn renegado”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a RENEGADE in an OLD Spanish drama – the 'o' at the end sounds archaic and foreign.
Conceptual Metaphor
BETRAYAL IS CHANGING SIDES / TREACHERY IS APOSTASY
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the word 'renegado' MOST appropriately used today?