hidalgo
noun
a man of the lower nobility in Spain.
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hidalgo
1 American
[hi-dal-goh, ee-thahl-gaw]
/ hɪˈdæl goʊ, iˈðɑl gɔ /
noun
hidalgos
plural
-
a man of the lower nobility in Spain.
-
(in Spanish America) a man who owns considerable property or is otherwise esteemed.
Hidalgo
2
American
[hi-dal-goh, ee-thahl-gaw]
/ hɪˈdæl goʊ, iˈðɑl gɔ /
noun
-
Juan c1600–85, Spanish composer and harpist.
-
a state in central Mexico. 8,057 sq. mi. (20,870 sq. km). Pachuca.
Hidalgo
1
British
/ hɪˈdælɡəʊ, iˈðalɣo /
noun
hidalgo
2
British
/ hɪˈdælɡəʊ, iˈðalɣo /
noun
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Etymology
Origin of hidalgo
1585–95; < Spanish, contraction of hijo dalgo, Old Spanish fijo dalgo a noble, a person with property, a son with something < Latin filius son + dē from + aliquō something
Explanation
In Spanish and Portuguese history, a hidalgo was a member of the nobility. Hidalgos were born into their positions, which gave them certain privileges in society, like not having to pay taxes. Hidalgo comes from the Spanish hijo de algo, "a person born into wealth," or literally, "son of something." The 12th-century hidalgo class was considered "lesser nobility," or lower in rank than many other noblemen. It wasn't common for a hidalgo to own land. Still, they enjoyed many benefits of their inherited place in society, including the right to bear arms and be exempt from taxation.
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.
See Examples For:
Still, he regularly returned to his masked hidalgo.
From Washington Post ● Jul. 10, 2019
In that piece an old Spanish hidalgo in New Mexico in 1847 detects in his son democratic tendencies.
From Time Magazine Archive
Today life makes such demands on man that the noble hidalgo Don Juan is to be seen nowhere save in the theater.
From Time Magazine Archive
One chubby hidalgo tipped over with the 30 profundity of his obeisance, but the others righted him so solemnly that the dignity of the ceremonial was unimpaired.
From Spanish Highways and Byways by Bates, Katharine Lee
My hidalgo comrade was an expert in such matters.
From Told by the Death's Head A Romantic Tale by J?kai, M?r
Father Hidalgo, the priest who raised the cry of independence in 1810, demanded that slave owners free the enslaved at once, “grant them the necessary freedom documents,” or risk the death penalty.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 2, 2026
The first reference on record to Cornish miners playing sport in Hidalgo is actually about cricket.
From BBC ● Jun. 2, 2026
If there's one thing the transatlantic cousins of Cornwall and Hidalgo will have in common this summer, it's that they'll be enjoying the World Cup with a pasty - or paste - in hand.
From BBC ● Jun. 2, 2026
Hannah Hidalgo, Notre Dame: The ACC player of the year leads the nation with 5.4 steals per game and is known as one of the dynamic playmakers in the country.
From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 16, 2026
“Lu, you know I wish I always had the answers you need. Obviously, I don’t. But I’m glad you’ve met someone who seems to get you like Mrs. Hidalgo does,” Dad said, and smiled.
From "The First Rule of Punk" by Celia C. Pérez
The roars of shirtless .peons and the cheers of hidalgos forgetful of their dignity drowned his Majesty's words in praise of General Primo de Rivera, "the Conqueror of Ajdir."
From Time Magazine Archive
Spanish taximen are men of honor, proud as hidalgos, and members of a Socialist union.
From Time Magazine Archive
As he drew near the place, many of the more youthful courtiers and hidalgos, together with a vast concourse of the populace, came forth to meet and welcome him.
From School Reading by Grades Sixth Year by Baldwin, James
They found there already grown old in the hands of the Spaniards younger sons of hidalgos and many of them of the proudest blood of Spain.
From Complete Story of the San Francisco Horror by Linthicum, Richard
The hidalgos wear the long cloak and wide sombrero common to all the country districts of Spain.
From Spanish Life in Town and Country by Dawson, William Harbutt
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.
