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
Aguilera might, perhaps, in that case, have been spared the personal search which made the wounded hidalgo colour both from a sense of violated dignity and actual physical pain.
From The Spanish Cavalier A Story of Seville by A. L. O. E.
She is the home of the hidalgo and home of the strongest existing democracy between man and man, only equaled by early Rome.
From Heroic Spain by O'Reilly, Elizabeth Boyle
“We did what we could, and we gave it our absolute all,” said Zeus Palacios, a 27-year-old immigrant from the Mexican state of Hidalgo.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 6, 2026
The transatlantic connection between Hidalgo and Cornwall starts all the way back in 1824.
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
Her numbers might be even better if she were the team’s top offensive option, like Hannah Hidalgo with Notre Dame.
From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 20, 2026
“Only one of the greatest drummers ever,” Mrs. Hidalgo said.
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
The young hidalgos, who had come out in the hope of gaining riches and fame, were angry and disappointed that they did not find gold at once in abundance.
From The Boy's Book of Heroes by Peake, Helena
We detected none of the touchy sensitiveness of the punctilious Spanish hidalgos.
From The Andes and the Amazon Across the Continent of South America by Orton, James
These hidalgos wanted all the glory as well as all the power for themselves.
From Days of the Discoverers by Choate, Florence
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.
