sombrero

hat

noun sohm-BREH-roh Rare

Origin: From Latin 'umbra' (shade), via 'sombra' (shadow) + '-ero' agent suffix.

Usage Note

Sombrero refers to any hat in Spanish, not only the wide-brimmed Mexican style that English speakers picture. The word sombra (shadow) is embedded in it — a hat is literally 'the shade-maker'. To specify the wide-brimmed Mexican hat, say sombrero de ala ancha or sombrero mexicano.

Examples

"Perdí mi sombrero en el mercado."

Natural Translation

I lost my hat at the market.

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