amigo

American  

[uh-mee-goh, ah-mee-, ah-mee-gaw] / əˈmi goʊ, ɑˈmi-, ɑˈmi gɔ /

noun

plural

amigos

1. a friend, especially a male friend.

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amigo British  

/ æˈmiːɡəʊ, ə- /

noun

1. a friend; comrade

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Etymology

Origin of amigo

1830–40, < Spanish < Latin amīcus

Compare meaning

How does amigo compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• amigo vs. amiga

Explanation

Your amigo is your buddy. You and your amigos might make plans to watch the fireworks together on the 4th of July. Use the word amigo to talk about a friend in a casual, colloquial way. When you run into an old pal you haven't seen in a while, you might call out, "Hey, amigo! Nice to see you!" It's most common to use this word in Spanish-speaking parts of the US, though most people will know exactly what you mean. It is, in fact, the Spanish word for "friend," from the Latin amicus, also "friend."

Example Sentences

As the quick dinner my hosts and I were supposed to have at Casa Bonita turned into two hours, I thought of another Hollywood rude boy turned amigo of Mexicans: Jimmy Kimmel.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 23, 2025

Y, cuando López Obrador fue elegido para la jefatura de gobierno de la Ciudad de México en 2000, un amigo de la familia le presentó al nuevo jefe.

From Science Magazine • May 8, 2024

Pirjanian señaló que, con el tiempo, el robot mejora en este tipo de intercambios, del mismo modo que un amigo que llega a conocernos mejor.

From New York Times • Apr. 23, 2023

Beauchamp se volvió amigo de Till-Mobley, quien fue un mentor para él antes de morir en 2003.

From Seattle Times • Oct. 13, 2022

The word friend is turquoise with a glow of glossy red, but the word amigo is yellow with spots of brown, like an old banana.

From "A Mango-Shaped Space" by Wendy Mass