charro

[ chahr-oh; Spanish chahr-raw ]

noun

, plural char·ros [chahr, -ohz, chahr, -, r, aws].

1. a Mexican horseman or cowboy, typically one wearing an elaborate outfit, often with silver decorations, of tight trousers, ruffled shirt, short jacket, and sombrero.

Word History and Origins

Origin of charro¹

1925–30; < Mexican Spanish; Spanish: rustic, countrylike < Basque txar poor, weak

Example Sentences

Then Schiff was off to a campaign event in north Las Vegas where he met Mexican charro horsemen and appeared with a grandson of César Chávez; a delegates meeting of the powerful Western States Carpenters, where he dropped three f-bombs during his speech; a late vegan lunch with the actor Bryan Cranston, who was volunteering for Rosen; a stop at a phone bank for Rep. Susie Lee of southern Nevada; and a flight home that landed in Burbank at 8:40 p.m.

From Los Angeles Times

Full service breakfast is included for guests at its Del Charro restaurant and bar, which is open late until midnight on most days.

From Los Angeles Times

Campillo reminds me that his brand is based on a family heirloom: a charro suit gifted to his father by his grandfather that he inherited a few years ago.

From Los Angeles Times

A charro suit is made using specific sartorial techniques, which Campillo applies to other garments, creating something highly specific to him, his experience and his version of the world.

From Los Angeles Times

“I’m a national charro champion, for Christ’s sake. I was born on a tour out of Antonio Aguilar and Flor Silvestre. So, yeah, I guess I am really Mexican. I’m very proud of what I show, and I want to show it more and more and more and more and more so people understand why I’m so proud.”

From Seattle Times

More About Charro

What is a charro?

Charro is used to describe something related to Mexican horsemen, such as their costumes, or to Mexican ranch culture, such as charro frijoles (beans), a soup-like dish made of pinto beans, onions, garlic, and bacon or pork belly. 

A charro is a traditional Mexican horseman whose costume usually consists of tight pants, a ruffled shirt or jacket, a large hat, and silver ornaments and decorations. They were originally known to be skilled ranchers and horsemen. Charros from different haciendas would compete in local charreadas to test their skills. The competitions grew to become traveling festivals that featured food, music, and competitions.

In Mexican pop culture, charros are similar to cowboys in American pop culture, but they are celebrated as being ornamental and flashy. Charros are known to wear elaborate outfits with a lot of decorations, accents, frills, embroidered designs, and more. Perhaps the most recognizable part of traditional charro fashion is the large, wide-brimmed charro hat, the sombrero de charro.

Example: The new food truck serves all my favorite charro foods, especially charro beans.

Where does charro come from?

The first records of the term in English charro come from around the 1920s. It ultimately comes from Spanish, meaning “rustic” or “of the country.”

Did you know ... ?

What are some words that often get used in discussing charro?

• beans
• country
• cowboy
• hat
• horse
• jacket
• Mexico
• silver
• sombrero
• tradition

How is charro used in real life?

Charro is most often used to describe something connected with Mexican ranch culture, such as foods and costumes.

Officially performing for Cinco de Mayo @ the Astros game hehe. Y’all catch me in my charro suit 😏

— xavier lee (@xayyyvr) May 2, 2022

I think my favorite food is the bacon you get with charro beans. it's a true delicacy

— crismontyy (@crismontyy) May 7, 2017

Am I the only emo Mexican in New York for whom skinny jeans recall fond memories of charro pants from ballet folclórico days?

— Angie Jaime (@angiejaime) September 18, 2019

 

 

Try using charro!

Is charro used correctly in the following sentence?

“Whenever Diego needs a little confidence boost, he wears his charro pants and stands tall.”