noun

arroyo

uh-ROY-oh

Arroyo (noun) means a dry streambed or gully that only fills with water after heavy rain. Example: “Flash floods can turn a quiet arroyo into a raging torrent within minutes.”

noun

A dry streambed or gully that only fills with water after heavy rain.

"Flash floods can turn a quiet arroyo into a raging torrent within minutes."

How to use arroyo

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA desert gully that's usually dry but can flood suddenly.

When to use it

Mostly used in American English, especially in the Southwest.

Word forms

arroyos plural, Arroyos plural

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Flash floods can turn a quiet _____ into a raging torrent within minutes.

Etymology

Borrowed directly from Spanish arroyo, meaning "stream" or "brook."

Origin: Spanish

Rhymes for arroyo

yo ryo Pyo Mayo boyo kayo toyo aiyo Yoyo Tokyo Chiyo daimyo

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Frequently asked questions

What does “arroyo” mean?

The word “arroyo” means a dry streambed or gully that only fills with water after heavy rain. In plain terms, a desert gully that's usually dry but can flood suddenly.

How do you pronounce “arroyo”?

“Arroyo” is pronounced uh-ROY-oh (/əˈɹɔɪ.oʊ/ in IPA).

How do you use “arroyo” in a sentence?

Here is “arroyo” used in a sentence: “Flash floods can turn a quiet arroyo into a raging torrent within minutes.”

What part of speech is “arroyo”?

“Arroyo” is a noun.

Where does the word “arroyo” come from?

The word “arroyo” comes from Spanish. Borrowed directly from Spanish arroyo, meaning "stream" or "brook.".

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Vocabulary lists that include arroyo:

Words with Spanish origins