What does caballero mean?
Caballero is a noun borrowed from Spanish, where it means a gentleman — originally a knight or horseman, since the word derives from 'caballo,' meaning horse. In English it refers to a courteous, gallant man whose manners recall the chivalric ideals of an earlier age: someone who tips his hat, offers his seat, and treats others with formal respect. The word is most often encountered in writing about Spanish-speaking societies, the American West, or historical romance, where it lends local color and a slightly old-fashioned dignity. Its connotations are overwhelmingly positive — courtesy, honor, refinement — though it can be used ironically of a man whose gallantry is mere performance. Closely related words include 'cavalier' and 'cavalry,' which share the same horse-based Latin root through French rather than Spanish.
nounA Spanish gentleman or knight; in English usage, a courteous, gallant man, especially one with old-fashioned chivalric manners.
- A Spanish gentleman or knight, historically one of noble or horseman status
- A courteous, gallant, or chivalrous man, especially in Spanish-speaking cultures
"He bowed like a true caballero and offered her his arm."
"The aging caballero swept off his hat and bowed low before the ladies."
"In the border towns, an honest caballero was known by his word and his courtesy as much as by his sword."
Standard plural simply adds -s, following regular English practice for borrowed Spanish nouns.
"The plaza filled with caballeros in embroidered jackets, their horses stamping in the cool evening air."
The same Latin word for 'horse' that gave English 'cavalry' also gave Spanish its very word for a gentleman — because a real caballero was literally a man on horseback.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of caballero
Caballero comes from Spanish 'caballero,' meaning horseman or knight, formed from 'caballo' (horse), which descends from Latin 'caballus.' Because knighthood was defined by mounted service, the word came to denote a gentleman of chivalric rank. English borrowed it directly from Spanish, likely in the nineteenth century amid interest in Spanish and Mexican culture. It shares its ultimate root with 'cavalier' and 'cavalry,' which reached English via French and Italian forms of the same Latin word.
Usage notes
Borrowed directly from Spanish and still carrying Hispanic flavor; often used of men from Spanish-speaking cultures or in Western/historical settings. The tone is admiring but can be slightly romanticized or ironic. It is masculine; the feminine counterpart is 'caballera' (rare in English).
Don't confuse with
Cavalier is the English/French-derived equivalent meaning a gallant or courtly gentleman (or a supporter of Charles I), while caballero is specifically the Spanish term for such a gentleman.