noun
zorro
ZOR-oh
Zorro (noun) means a South American fox-like wild dog, more closely related to wolves than true foxes. Example: “A zorro slipped through the brush near the ranch at dusk.”
noun
1
A South American fox-like wild dog, more closely related to wolves than true foxes.
"A zorro slipped through the brush near the ranch at dusk."
2
By extension from the fictional character, any bold, mysterious defender of the wronged.
"The vigilante was dubbed a modern-day zorro by the local press."
How to use zorro
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither the South American fox-like animal, or a nickname for a masked, daring hero, after the fictional character Zorro.
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Word forms
- Plural
- zorros
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
A _____ slipped through the brush near the ranch at dusk.
Etymology
Borrowed from Spanish zorro ("fox") — also the name of the masked swordsman created by pulp writer Johnston McCulley in 1919.
Class of 1919
zorro joined the language around 1919.
See the full Class of 1919 →
Frequently asked questions
What does “zorro” mean?
The word “zorro” means a South American fox-like wild dog, more closely related to wolves than true foxes. In plain terms, either the South American fox-like animal, or a nickname for a masked, daring hero, after the fictional character Zorro.
How do you pronounce “zorro”?
“Zorro” is pronounced ZOR-oh (/ˈzoɹ.oʊ/ in IPA).
How do you use “zorro” in a sentence?
Here is “zorro” used in a sentence: “A zorro slipped through the brush near the ranch at dusk.”
What part of speech is “zorro”?
“Zorro” is a noun.
Where does the word “zorro” come from?
The word “zorro” dates back to around 1919 and comes from Spanish. Borrowed from Spanish zorro ("fox") — also the name of the masked swordsman created by pulp writer Johnston McCulley in 1919.
How many meanings does “zorro” have?
“Zorro” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a South American fox-like wild dog, more closely related to wolves than true foxes.
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