desperado

American  

[des-puh-rah-doh, -rey-] / ˌdɛs pəˈrɑ doʊ, -ˈreɪ- /

noun

plural

desperadoes, desperados

1. a bold, reckless criminal or outlaw, especially in the early days of the American West.

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desperado British  

/ ˌdɛspəˈrɑːdəʊ /

noun

1. a reckless or desperate person, esp one ready to commit any violent illegal act

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Etymology

Origin of desperado

1600–10; probably pseudo-Spanish alteration of desperate (as noun, now obsolete), in same sense

Example Sentences

Instead of lawn or little potted palms around the pool, there are oversize stands of desperado sage, a fragrant hybrid between white sage and purple sage, growing so untamed they’re nearly spilling into the pool.

From Los Angeles Times

After all, who can resist belting along to a vivid piano ballad that rhymes “Silverado” with “desperado?”

From Seattle Times

But it seems clear that there was no reason to approach him so aggressively, as though he were some armed desperado fleeing a murder scene.

From Washington Post

The Special Operations Division of the DEA often goes overseas to capture desperados with elaborate undercover stings.

From Salon

With his stocky build, unnerving gaze, five o’clock shadow and tightly wound energy, Mr. Persoff specialized in portraying gangland figures, Wild West desperados, bellicose generalissimos and Cold War heavies.

From Washington Post

Related Words

• hoodlum
• ruffian