noun
Uncommon
santo
Santo (noun) means a carved wooden or ivory statue depicting a saint, angel, or other holy figure, traditional in Spain and its former colonies. Example: “The chapel walls were lined with painted santos.”
noun
1
A carved wooden or ivory statue depicting a saint, angel, or other holy figure, traditional in Spain and its former colonies.
"The chapel walls were lined with painted santos."
"A santo may get a new coat of paint on its feast day or at Christmas. Or sometimes, when a prayer has been granted, a Puerto Rican repays his santo with a fresh coat of paint."
— Shirley Glubok, The Art of the Spanish in the United States and Puerto Rico (1972)
How to use santo
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA carved religious statue, typically of a saint.
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Word forms
- Plural
- santos
Fill the gap
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The chapel walls were lined with painted _____.
Etymology
Borrowed from Spanish santo, "saint", ultimately from Latin sanctus.
Rhymes for santo
See all rhymes for santo →Frequently asked questions
What does “santo” mean?
The word “santo” means a carved wooden or ivory statue depicting a saint, angel, or other holy figure, traditional in Spain and its former colonies. In plain terms, a carved religious statue, typically of a saint.
How do you use “santo” in a sentence?
Here is “santo” used in a sentence: “The chapel walls were lined with painted santos.”
What part of speech is “santo”?
“Santo” is a noun.
Where does the word “santo” come from?
The word “santo” comes from Latin. Borrowed from Spanish santo, "saint", ultimately from Latin sanctus.
Is “santo” a common word?
“Santo” is an uncommon word in modern English.
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