muchacho

[ moo-chah-choh ]

noun

1. Informal, Southwestern U.S. a boy or young man (often used as a form of address):

   So what are you waiting for, muchacho?

Word History and Origins

Origin of muchacho¹

First recorded in 1590–1600; from Spanish, earlier mochacho, from moch(o) “cut off, cropped, clipped,” perhaps in reference to young people's haircuts ( mozzarella ( def ) ) + -acho, an augmentative and pejorative suffix ( -aceous ( def ) )

Example Sentences

In a video clip posted to Fuerza Regida frontman Jesús Ortiz Paz’s TikTok account, we see the band’s caravan of vehicles block all five lanes as it plays a banda rendition of “El Muchacho Alegre,” a song popularized by legendary mariachi singer Pedro Infante.

From Los Angeles Times

Mi tío abandonó la escuela en séptimo año por miedo a lo que pudiera pasar después de pegarle al abusivo muchacho blanco que le había hecho la vida imposible durante demasiado tiempo.

From Los Angeles Times

“There’s a muchacho from here who just left — he made it to Los Angeles the next day,” said Clemente Sánchez, 57, the municipal president.

From Los Angeles Times

“Así que ahora, aquí estoy, un muchacho de 17 años, que me preocupo por: ‘¿Está bien mi mamá, están bien las niñas?

From New York Times

El Muchacho Alegre, which specializes in Mexico seafood dishes, debuts near the Renton Municipal Airport.

From Seattle Times