sugar skull

[ shoog-er skuhl ]

noun

1. a decorated model skull seen during Day of the Dead celebrations, usually molded or sculpted from sugar or clay and often placed on an altar with a deceased person's name on it.

Word History and Origins

Origin of sugar skull¹

First recorded in 1930–35; loan translation of Spanish calavera de azúcar

Example Sentences

I run inside just to grab the sugar skull I made last night.

From Literature

My shoes are almost soaked through with leftover rain droplets by the time Gram and Grandpa’s grave comes into sight, still clutching my sugar skull to lay against their stone.

From Literature

SAT-SUN Honor the departed in a celebration with community altars, sugar skull making, processions and festive music, 11 a.m.-7 p.m.

From Seattle Times

A few hours later, another group of activists gathered in the same room to discuss engagement in Latino communities, with some suggesting volunteers could hand out sugar skull candies at Mexican Independence Day events to improve outreach.

From Los Angeles Times

On Friday, mourners and well-wishers gathered at his Oaxaca cultural center, where a flower-bedecked shrine featured a photo of Toledo alongside an ear of corn and — in a nod to Mexico’s Day of the Dead customs — a sugar skull.

From Los Angeles Times