toreador

noun

to·​re·​a·​dor ˈtȯr-ē-ə-ˌdȯr How to pronounce toreador (audio)
ˈtär-

Examples of toreador in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Its chronology begins with the ancient practice of hunting bulls in the wild for meat and skins, then traces the hunt’s evolution as sport with the emergence of celebrity toreadors in a theater of cruelty and courage. Christopher Knight, Los Angeles Times, 10 June 2024 Would Brooks Robinson have ever worn sleazy tight black toreador pants? Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 8 May 2024 The result has the Orioles in all-black softball-style duds with toreador pants. Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 8 May 2024 Take the character of Escamillo, the swaggering toreador who’s been retrained as a rodeador. Vulture, 4 Jan. 2024 But pop-up parties have begun to appear on rooftops, in basements, and at run-down cantinas like the bizarre and beautiful La Faena, decorated with dusty shadow boxes of toreadors' costumes. Michael Snyder, Travel + Leisure, 27 Nov. 2023 Swoon as the immortal Rudolph Valentino struts his stuff in a toreador’s jacket and trousers in this silent 1922 melodrama. Los Angeles Times, 19 May 2022 Along the way came dancing and dueling gypsies, Don Jose wrestling like a raging bull with his feelings, and lavishly dressed Spanish ladies whirling and twirling with blue-clad toreadors. Zachary Lewis, cleveland, 21 Oct. 2019 Would a toreador be insulted when the bull responds to the muleta? Leah Garchik, SFChronicle.com, 19 June 2019

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'toreador.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Spanish, from torear to fight bulls, from toro bull, from Latin taurus — more at taurine

First Known Use

1618, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of toreador was in 1618

Dictionary Entries Near toreador

Cite this Entry

“Toreador.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/toreador. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

toreador

noun
to·​re·​ador
ˈtȯr-ē-ə-ˌdȯ(ə)r,
ˈtōr-,
ˈtär-
: a person who fights bulls : a performer in a bullfight
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