gaucho

noun

gau·​cho ˈgau̇-(ˌ)chō 

plural gauchos

: a cowboy of the South American pampas

Did you know?

The nomadic and colorful horsemen of the Argentine and Uruguayan plains, the gauchos remain folk heroes famed for hardiness and lawlessness. Gauchos flourished from the mid-18th to the mid-19th century. At first they rounded up the herds of horses and cattle that roamed freely on the vast grasslands east of the Andes. In the early 19th century, they fought first in the armies that defeated the Spanish colonial regime and then for the military dictators who jockeyed for power after independence. Argentine writers celebrated the gauchos, and gaucho literature is an important part of the Argentine cultural tradition.

Examples of gaucho in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Efficient waitstaff in traditional gaucho attire weave through the bustling scene, serving more than 1,000 diners daily. —Allie Lazar, Saveur, 11 Dec. 2024

In the opening shot, a sleeping gaucho slowly gets up from his horse and coaxes him to stand. —Anne Thompson, IndieWire, 29 Nov. 2024

The polo shirt obviously comes to mind, as does the iconic fashion and lifestyle brand Polo Ralph Lauren, but there are also more subtle references—such as the horse bit loafer, or the classic gaucho alpargata, which inspired the modern mens’ espadrille. —Todd Plummer, Robb Report, 6 Nov. 2024

Her navy polo, gaucho shorts, and makeup-free face evoked an innocent schoolgirl. —Bob Morris, The New Yorker, 28 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

American Spanish

First Known Use

1824, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

gaucho

noun

gau·​cho ˈgau̇-chō 

plural gauchos

: a cowboy of the South American grass-covered plains