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poncho

American  
[pon-choh] / ˈpɒn tʃoʊ /

noun

plural

ponchos
  1. a blanketlike cloak with a hole in the center to admit the head, originating in South America, now often worn as a raincoat.


poncho British  
/ ˈpɒntʃəʊ /

noun

  1. a cloak of a kind originally worn in South America, made of a rectangular or circular piece of cloth, esp wool, with a hole in the middle to put the head through

"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

Other Word Forms

  • ponchoed adjective

Etymology

Origin of poncho

First recorded in 1710–20; from Latin American Spanish: further origin uncertain; perhaps from Araucanian pontho “woolen fabric”; perhaps from Old Spanish poncho “a mantle or cloak”; perhaps a back formation from ponchón “lazy, sluggish”; perhaps an alteration of unrecorded pochón, an augmentative of pocho “pale, faded,” and probably akin to pachón “phlegmatic, sluggish”

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.

Unlike his bandmates in the Dead, Weir had a long-running interest in personal style, and frequently opted for tucked-in button-down shirts, western wear and polo shirts instead of tie-dye and ponchos.

From Los Angeles Times

Those who did attend used umbrellas, ponchos and awnings to protect themselves from the downpour.

From Los Angeles Times

Wear a rain rain jacket or poncho instead.

From Los Angeles Times

Float riders will have ponchos on standby, and there will be plenty of tow trucks available to haul any displays that break down, she added.

From Los Angeles Times

Sold at swap meets in the form of T-shirts, ponchos, statues, bags and so much more.

From Los Angeles Times