matador

noun

mat·​a·​dor ˈma-tə-ˌdȯr How to pronounce matador (audio)
: a bullfighter who has the principal role and who kills the bull in a bullfight

Examples of matador in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The horsemen are a key part of Spanish bullfighting, to tire the bull ahead of its final death at the hands of the matador. Toby Muse, Rolling Stone, 3 Mar. 2024 Usually, after five minutes of waving around a feather toy like a matador, my cat looks downright bored. Cai Cramer, Peoplemag, 16 Feb. 2024 When the parade of the afternoon’s three matadors and their bullfighting entourage finally emerged to salute the fans, the arena in Mexico City erupted. James Wagner Luis Antonio Rojas, New York Times, 1 Feb. 2024 Sassoon was a matador in kitten heels, baiting Bankman-Fried before driving her sword through his shoulders. Elizabeth Lopatto, The Verge, 31 Oct. 2023 Alas, Spanish matador Barbie used a red — not pink — cape. Shelly Tan, Washington Post, 20 July 2023 If the matador doesn’t make a clean kill, and causes undue suffering, fans have been known to boo in response, and sometimes even beat the matador in the street. Chris Vognar, Chron, 17 May 2023 Love Bailey performs three original songs alongside her male dancers in erotic matador costumes. Lina Abascal, Los Angeles Times, 2 June 2023 In Luhya bullfighting, there’s no matador. Washington Post, 19 May 2021

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'matador.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Spanish, from matar to kill

First Known Use

1681, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of matador was in 1681

Dictionary Entries Near matador

Cite this Entry

“Matador.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/matador. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

matador

noun
mat·​a·​dor ˈmat-ə-ˌdȯ(ə)r How to pronounce matador (audio)
: the bullfighter who plays the major human part in a bullfight
Etymology

Spanish, literally "killer"

More from Merriam-Webster on matador

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