barrio
barrio Lexical Profile
barrio Game Scores & Validity
• noun
American A predominantly Spanish-speaking neighborhood or district within a city or town in the United States, often characterized by strong Latino cultural identity.
"The annual street festival celebrates the rich musical and culinary heritage of the local barrio."
A ward, quarter, or administrative subdivision of a municipality in Spain, Latin America, or the Philippines.
"During our stay in Madrid, we explored several historic barrios known for their traditional architecture and plazas."
Word Nuance & Usage
In Spain and Latin America, 'barrio' is a neutral term for any municipal district or neighborhood, whereas in American English it specifically refers to a predominantly Spanish-speaking community, sometimes carrying socioeconomic connotations of working-class urban life.
• Rhymes for barrio
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed in the mid-19th century from Spanish 'barrio' (district or quarter), which itself derives from Andalusian Arabic 'barrí' (outer, belonging to the outskirts), from Classical Arabic 'barr' (open country, outside a city).