Certain words Americans use extensively may seem intrinsically English, yet have surprising Spanish origins. With Mexican cuisine beloved in the U.S., multiple terms have seamlessly entered everyday vocabulary. When not discussing quesadillas at a taquería, we still regularly employ absorbed words and phrases traceable back to Spanish roots. (Spanish isn’t the only language that has influenced English. Here are 30 English words you didn’t know came from Arabic.)
Many everyday Spanish words emerged from early 16th century explorers like Ponce de León. Predating the British, Spanish settlers occupied much of modern-day Southern U.S. and beyond – from Florida to California. This 300-year colonial reign brought Spanish not just to America, but integrated words still common today. Well before English took hold, Spanish language and culture took root across former outposts like Louisiana, Texas, the Southwest states, and California. Vestiges of this influence persist in place names like San Antonio and Los Angeles alongside vocabulary.
24/7 Tempo consulted the Oxford English Dictionary and language sites including Babbel. to compile a list of some everyday English words that are of Spanish origin – either spelled the same way, usually with the same meaning or drawn from a similarly spelled Spanish term. We have omitted familiar culinary terms.
Some of these words listed – including lariat, bronco, and ranch – are derived from the Spanish equestrian tradition that would become U.S. cowboy culture. Others are the names of plants and animals that are common south of our border. (Many Spanish words are based on Latin, the language that Spanish descended from. Here are 30 Latin phrases that everyone should know.)
Here are everyday English words that are of Spanish Origin
Alligator
- Spanish origin: El lagarto
- Meaning in Spanish: The lizard
Banana
- Spanish origin: Banana
- Meaning in Spanish: Banana
Bonanza
- Spanish origin: Bonanza
- Meaning in Spanish: Prosperity, bonanza
Breeze
- Spanish origin: Brisa
- Meaning in Spanish: Breeze, air
Bronco
- Spanish origin: Bronco
- Meaning in Spanish: Rough
Cabana
- Spanish origin: Cabaña
- Meaning in Spanish: Cabin
Cafeteria
- Spanish origin: Cafetería
- Meaning in Spanish: Café, coffee shop
Canyon
- Spanish origin: Cañón
- Meaning in Spanish: Gorge, tube
Cargo
- Spanish origin: Cagar
- Meaning in Spanish: To load
Cockroach
- Spanish origin: Cucaracha
- Meaning in Spanish: Cockroach
Corral
- Spanish origin: Corral
- Meaning in Spanish: Corral, pen, barnyard
Embargo
- Spanish origin: Embargar
- Meaning in Spanish: To seize
Guerrilla
- Spanish origin: Guerrilla
- Meaning in Spanish: Guerrilla, warfare
Jade
- Spanish origin: Piedra de ijada
- Meaning in Spanish: Stone of the flank (jade was thought to cure pains in the side)
Lariat
- Spanish origin: La reata
- Meaning in Spanish: The lariat or rope
Marijuana
- Spanish origin: Marihuana (Mexican Spanish)
- Meaning in Spanish: Marijuana, cannabis
Mosquito
- Spanish origin: Mosquito
- Meaning in Spanish: Little fly or gnat
Mustang
- Spanish origin: Mestengo (archaic Mexican Spanish)
- Meaning in Spanish: Stray, wild
Patio
- Spanish origin: Patio
- Meaning in Spanish: Patio, courtyard
Platinum
- Spanish origin: Platino
- Meaning in Spanish: Little silver
Plaza
- Spanish origin: Plaza
- Meaning in Spanish: Square, plaza
Ranch
- Spanish origin: Rancho
- Meaning in Spanish: Ranch
Renegade
- Spanish origin: Renegado
- Meaning in Spanish: Turncoat, heretic
Savvy
- Spanish origin: Sabe
- Meaning in Spanish: Knows
Stampede
- Spanish origin: Estampida
- Meaning in Spanish: Stampede
Suave
- Spanish origin: Suave
- Meaning in Spanish: Smooth
Tornado
- Spanish origin: Tornado
- Meaning in Spanish: Tornado, twister
Vanilla
- Spanish origin: Vainilla
- Meaning in Spanish: Little pod
Vigilante
- Spanish origin: Vigilante
- Meaning in Spanish: Watchman