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.
There were smiles and sombreros when the team arrived in Guadalajara in June. — Tomás Hill López-Menchero, New York Times, 29 June 2026 Spectators proudly donned luchador masks, sombreros and Mexican flags. — Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 11 June 2026 People wearing cowboy hats and sombreros peppered the audience chamber. — Melissa Gomez, Los Angeles Times, 9 June 2026 The tournament has been beset with fears over seat pricing and turnout, but the Azteca stadium was full and in carnival mode, with beer and paper sombreros raining from the stands. — Tom Chivers, semafor.com, 12 June 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 7 Jul. 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"

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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