sombrero

noun

som·​bre·​ro səm-ˈbrer-(ˌ)ō How to pronounce sombrero (audio)
säm-
plural sombreros
Synonyms of sombreronext
: an often high-crowned hat of felt or straw with a very wide brim worn especially in the Southwest and Mexico

Illustration of sombrero

Illustration of sombrero

Examples of sombrero in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The eight-pitch battle ended in Ohtani being fitted for a golden sombrero after his fourth strikeout of the night. — Fabian Ardaya, New York Times, 3 Sep. 2026 At a festive press conference, Moreno handed a sombrero to then-skipper Mike Scioscia to wear, then announced that the first order of business was to cut beer prices. — Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 1 Sep. 2026 On Tuesday night, Gastélum was filmed wearing a white sombrero. — ABC News, 5 Aug. 2026 The Germans at the IHOPs, the Koreans in sombreros, the spirit of Cabo Verde, and Lionel Messi’s tears? — Louisa Thomas, New Yorker, 1 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for sombrero

Word History

Etymology

Spanish, from sombra shade

First Known Use

1599, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of sombrero was in 1599

Rhymes for sombrero

See All Rhymes for sombrero

Browse Nearby Words

sombra
sombrero
sombrous
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Sombrero.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sombrero. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

sombrero

noun
som·​bre·​ro səm-ˈbre(ə)r-ō How to pronounce sombrero (audio)
säm-
plural sombreros
: a tall hat with a very wide brim worn especially in the Southwest and Mexico
Etymology

from Spanish sombrero "a wide-brimmed hat," from sombra "shade"

More from Merriam-Webster on sombrero

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for sombrero

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about sombrero

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