caudillo

[ kaw-deel-yoh, -dee-oh; Spanish kou-thee-lyaw, -thee-yaw ]

/ kɔˈdil yoʊ, -ˈdi oʊ; Spanish kaʊˈði lyɔ, -ˈði yɔ /

Save This Word!

noun, plural cau·dil·los

[kaw-deel-yohz, -dee-ohz; Spanish kaw-thee-lyaws, -thee-yaws]. /kɔˈdil yoʊz, -ˈdi oʊz; Spanish kɔˈði lyɔs, -ˈði yɔs/.

(in Spanish-speaking countries) a head of state, especially a military dictator.

QUIZ

WILL YOU SAIL OR STUMBLE ON THESE GRAMMAR QUESTIONS?

Smoothly step over to these common grammar mistakes that trip many people up. Good luck!

Question 1 of 7

Fill in the blank: I can’t figure out _____ gave me this gift.

who

whom

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of caudillo

1850–55; <Spanish <Late Latin capitellum, equivalent to Latin capit- (stem of caput) head + -ellum diminutive suffix; see -elle

Words nearby caudillo

caudal anesthesia, caudal fin, caudate, caudex, caudillismo, caudillo, Caudine Forks, caudle, caudle cup, caught, caught dead, wouldn't be

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use caudillo in a sentence

Rulers who don’t accept any narrative of reality that doesn’t cast them as heroic caudillos.
Journalists Are Under Threat in El Salvador. I Know Because I Was Targeted|Carlos Martínez|January 20, 2022|Time
Problem is, Maduro has all of the troubles and none of the charm or the political muscle of the legendary caudillo he succeeded.
Venezuela Unveils Orwellian Ministry of Supreme Social Happiness|Mac Margolis|October 31, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Like Assange, Snowden is a tempting piece on the Ecuadoran caudillo's geopolitical game board.
Ecuador Needs U.S. Aid. Will They Risk It All with Snowden?|Mac Margolis|June 26, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Es el caudillo actual de grandes condiciones para el mando, y adems honrado y sencillo.
Doa Perfecta|Benito Prez Galds

El Caudillo has shown how the Motherland can frustrate the war mongers.
The Five Arrows|Allan Chase
Though Urquiza was a caudillo he had no such ambition for supreme power as plagued Rosas.
The South American Republics Part I of II|Thomas C. Dawson

British Dictionary definitions for caudillo

caudillo

/ (kɔːˈdiːljəʊ, Spanish kauˈðiʎo) /

noun plural -los (-jəʊz, Spanish -ʎos)

(in Spanish-speaking countries) a military or political leader

Word Origin for caudillo

Spanish, from Late Latin capitellum, diminutive of Latin caput head

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012