matador

American  

[mat-uh-dawr] / ˈmæt əˌdɔr /

noun

matadors plural

1. the principal bullfighter in a bullfight who passes the bull with a muleta and then, in many countries, kills it with a sword thrust; a torero.

2. one of the principal cards in skat and certain other games.

3. (initial capital letter) a jet-powered U.S. surface-to-surface missile.

---

matador British  

/ ˈmætədɔː /

noun

1. the principal bullfighter who is appointed to kill the bull

2. (in some card games such as skat) one of the highest ranking cards

3. a game played with dominoes in which the dots on adjacent halves must total seven

---

Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• matadors
  plural

Etymology

Origin of matador

1665–75; < Spanish, equivalent to mata ( r ) to kill (perhaps < Vulgar Latin *mattāre, presumed derivative of Late Latin mattus soft, weak; cf. matte ¹) +- dor -tor

Compare meaning

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

• toreador vs. matador

Example Sentences

The author’s there, the affable Fernando González Viñas, flanked by a matador and his entourage.

From Salon • Jun. 23, 2026

This relentless bull market may finally have found its matador.

From Barron's • May 15, 2026

Hawley embraces “wonderful peacock” 1850s menswear shapes: Victor’s puffed-out chest accentuates the “wasp waist” likening him to a matador.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 18, 2026

Flamboyant ticks and leaves like a matador goading a bull.

From BBC • Jul. 4, 2023

The child was doubly mistaken, for in the first place she meant matador, and in the second place there was no matador, just a bright red steam locomotive.

From "The Hidden Gallery" by Maryrose Wood