adobe
Americannoun
-
sun-dried brick made of clay and straw, in common use in countries having little rainfall.
-
a yellow silt or clay, deposited by rivers, used to make bricks.
-
a building constructed of adobe.
-
a dark, heavy soil, containing clay.
noun
-
-
a sun-dried brick used for building
-
( as modifier )
an adobe house
-
-
a building constructed of such bricks
-
the clayey material from which such bricks are made
Etymology
Origin of adobe
1750–60; < Spanish < Arabic al-ṭub the brick < Coptic to:o:be brick < Egyptian Demotic tb < Egyptian Hieroglyphic ḏbt
Explanation
If you've ever visited New Mexico and noticed earthy looking buildings everywhere, chances are they're made from adobe, a type of brick that's dried in the sun. The noun adobe originates from the oral form of Arabic al-tob, meaning "the brick," which is derived from the Coptic word tube, meaning "brick." In hot, dry climates like the American Southwest, Africa, and Spain, you'll often see buildings made of adobe. The word adobe can also refer to the material that these bricks are made of. The clay, water, and straw that go into the material give the bricks a natural-looking, informal appearance.
Vocabulary lists containing adobe
Bless Me, Ultima
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Aztec, Maya, and Inca Empires - Introductory
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
The Distance Between Us
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Instead they encountered Hawikku, an adobe pueblo in what is now western New Mexico.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 28, 2026
Eventually, however, the lush commons became something like adobe hills.
From Salon • Jul. 12, 2025
What residents who want to rebuild with materials like adobe are left with is, largely, confusion.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 28, 2025
Hackman was a lover of the arts and a painter himself, so he fit in well: Santa Fe is known for its iconic adobe architecture and is home to more than 250 galleries.
From BBC • Mar. 1, 2025
He was the only one who couldn’t protect himself, although the thick adobe walls of the office made life somewhat bearable.
From "The Ear, the Eye, and the Arm" by Nancy Farmer
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
