criollo

[ kree-oh-loh; Spanish kree-aw-yaw ]

noun

, plural cri·ol·los [kree-, oh, -lohz, k, r, ee-, aw, -yaws].

1. a person born in Spanish America but of European, usually Spanish, ancestry. Compare Creole ( def 1 ).
2. a domestic animal of any of several strains or breeds developed in Latin America.

adjective

1. of, relating to, or characteristic of a criollo or criollos.

criollo

/ kriːˈəʊləʊ; ˈkrjoʎo /

noun

1. a native or inhabitant of Latin America of European descent, esp of Spanish descent
2. 1. any of various South American breeds of domestic animal
   2. ( as modifier )

      a criollo pony

3. a high-quality variety of cocoa

adjective

1. of, relating to, or characteristic of a criollo or criollos

Word History and Origins

Origin of criollo¹

From Spanish, dating back to 1905–10; Creole

Word History and Origins

Origin of criollo¹

Spanish: native; see creole

Example Sentences

According to Chávez, these priests visited remote towns and sought to understand the worldview of the “criollo” people, whose Indigenous spiritual practices intertwined with new Christian customs and beliefs.

From Seattle Times

The Jesuits arrived in the capital half a century after the Spanish conquest, in 1572, and a few years later they founded San Ildefonso, a school for seminarians and missionaries. Their objective was to educate the descendants of Spaniards – the “criollo” – who were born in the colony, Chávez said.

From Seattle Times

This dynamic allowed the Jesuits to teach the “criollo” arts and crafts, but it also strengthened the concept of “criollo” identity throughout the territory, a theme that muralists portrayed in the 20th century.

From Seattle Times

The mound of mashed fried plantains, draped with clean curls of shrimp sauteed in criollo sauce, is unapologetically — you might say gloriously — starchy.

From Washington Post

The best value is its $12.99 Pabellón criollo rice bowl with shredded beef, black beans, sweet plantains and cheese.

From Seattle Times