abuela
noun
abue·la
ˌä-ˈbwā-lə 
plural abuelas
: grandmother
—used in English especially by and with speakers of Spanish
Although she was fervently Catholic, my abuela also kept some of the secrets of Cuban syncretism that mix different beliefs and ancient traditions.—
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Recent Examples on the Web
In a former pottery studio a stone’s throw from La Placita de Santurce, this lively day-to-night fonda, or neighborhood canteen, specializes in traditional fare in a kitchen staffed by a roster of local abuelas.
—Ben Olsen, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 Feb. 2026
Primos, tias, and tios, and of course, abuelos and abuelas, come together to celebrate the day at someone's house with food, music, and drinks.
—Julia Gomez, USA Today, 23 Dec. 2025
An homage to abuelas Escobar and his team pulled out all the stops to fully immerse diners in the experience of visiting a Mexican grandmother’s house.
—Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 19 Dec. 2025
Before there were parenting experts, there were abuelas.
—Sugey Palomares, Parents, 12 Sep. 2025
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Ben Olsen, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 Feb. 2026
Primos, tias, and tios, and of course, abuelos and abuelas, come together to celebrate the day at someone's house with food, music, and drinks.
—Julia Gomez, USA Today, 23 Dec. 2025
An homage to abuelas Escobar and his team pulled out all the stops to fully immerse diners in the experience of visiting a Mexican grandmother’s house.
—Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 19 Dec. 2025
Before there were parenting experts, there were abuelas.
—Sugey Palomares, Parents, 12 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Abuela.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/abuela. Accessed 25 Apr. 2026.
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