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noun

poncho

PON-choh
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Poncho (noun) means a simple cloak made from a piece of cloth with a hole for the head, worn over the shoulders. Example: “She wrapped herself in a woolen poncho against the mountain chill.”

noun
1
A simple cloak made from a piece of cloth with a hole for the head, worn over the shoulders.
"It was a gringo in a poncho. It was not really accurate to his suits worn today, but Julia would understand the symbolism that he was adapting to the culture and expectations while far away from home." — Bruce N. Anderson, Wingtips Under a Bolivian Poncho (2011)
"She wrapped herself in a woolen poncho against the mountain chill."
2
A similar lightweight waterproof garment used as a raincoat.
"Everyone at the festival bought a plastic poncho when the rain started."
"If you have to hike all day in a poncho, your pants will be wet thigh-high before long (never mind how fast you'll get wet if you have to go through wet brush or grass)." — Michael Rutter, Camping Made Easy (2001)

How to use poncho

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA blanket-like cloak with a head-hole, worn as clothing or as rain protection.

Common pairings
rain poncho wool poncho
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Word forms

Plural
ponchos, ponchoes
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Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

She wrapped herself in a woolen _____ against the mountain chill.

Etymology

From Spanish poncho, itself from Quechua punchu, the traditional South American garment.

Origin: Spanish

Rhymes for poncho

See all rhymes for poncho →

Frequently asked questions

What does “poncho” mean?
The word “poncho” means a simple cloak made from a piece of cloth with a hole for the head, worn over the shoulders. In plain terms, a blanket-like cloak with a head-hole, worn as clothing or as rain protection.
How do you pronounce “poncho”?
“Poncho” is pronounced PON-choh (/ˈpɑn.t͡ʃoʊ/ in IPA).
How do you use “poncho” in a sentence?
Here is “poncho” used in a sentence: “She wrapped herself in a woolen poncho against the mountain chill.”
What part of speech is “poncho”?
“Poncho” is a noun.
Where does the word “poncho” come from?
The word “poncho” comes from Spanish. From Spanish poncho, itself from Quechua punchu, the traditional South American garment.
How many meanings does “poncho” have?
“Poncho” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a simple cloak made from a piece of cloth with a hole for the head, worn over the shoulders.

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