aureola

halo

noun ow-reh-OH-lah Rare

Origin: From Latin aureola (little golden thing), diminutive of aurea (golden).

Also means

aureole

Usage Note

Aureola most commonly denotes the luminous ring around the head of a saint in religious iconography. It is also used figuratively to mean an aura of prestige or glory surrounding a person: rodeado de una aureola de misterio. The near-synonym halo (borrowed from Greek) is more common in everyday speech.

Examples

"La aureola del santo brillaba en el cuadro."

Natural Translation

The saint's halo shone in the painting.

Related Words

Explore Spanish by topic

SpanishNow

Preterite vs. Imperfect: Spanish Past Tense Made Easy

Preterite vs. imperfect: use the preterite for finished events, the imperfect for ongoing scenery. A trigger-word cheat sheet, flowchart, and examples.

June 9, 2026 6 min read

SpanishNow

How to Roll Your Rs in Spanish (Even If You Can't Yet)

Roll your Rs in Spanish by building from the butter sound you already make, then adding airflow. A step-by-step method, minimal pairs, and self-check drills.

June 3, 2026 7 min read

SpanishNow

The Spanish Cheek Kiss: Greeting Etiquette by Country

Two kisses in Spain, one in most of Latin America. Master the Spanish cheek kiss greeting — which cheek first, the air-kiss mechanics, and when to shake hands.

June 3, 2026 6 min read

SpanishNow

How to Introduce Yourself in Spanish: 12 Real Phrases

Introduce yourself in Spanish with 12 ready-to-speak phrases — name, origin, age, and job — in both tú and usted, with the verb traps that trip up beginners.

June 9, 2026 5 min read