Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
dictionary thesaurus view recents

matador

noun
Save Word
mat·​a·​dor | \ ˈma-tə-ˌdȯr How to pronounce matador (audio) \

Definition of matador

: a bullfighter who has the principal role and who kills the bull in a bullfight

Examples of matador in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The late-game woes are no doubt a byproduct of a matador-like defense that has, so far, been the NBA’s worst in the fourth quarter, where the Blazers own a league-worst 122.8 defensive rating. — Joe Freeman, oregonlive, "Portland Trail Blazers aren’t concerned about discouraging start to NBA season. Should they be?," 14 Nov. 2019 This book had matadors, adoptions, nuns, rich Americans, and lots of secrets! — Rachel Epstein, Marie Claire, "'The Fountains of Silence' Will Make You Fall in Love With Historical Fiction," 1 Nov. 2019 Bejarano grew up in Mexico, the descendant of four generations of bullfighters, including his father, famed matador Edgar Bejarano. — Washington Post, "Lara Spencer apologizes for ridiculing Prince George and ballet, but the damage has been done," 26 Aug. 2019 Following a Bruins giveaway, Jaden Schwartz raced up ice and went around a diffident defensive effort from Marchand, who gave a matador check at his own blue line and headed off the ice for a change. — Globe Staff, BostonGlobe.com, "Once again, an imperfect finish for Tuukka Rask," 13 June 2019 Born Sidney Frumkin in an Orthodox Jewish family in Brooklyn’s Park Slope neighborhood, the matador-to-be often clashed with his traditional father. — Josefin Dolsten, sun-sentinel.com, "The life of gay, Jewish bullfighter Sidney Franklin remembered," 4 June 2019 The cantina also functions, strangely enough, as a matador museum. — Scarlett Lindeman, Condé Nast Traveler, "20 Best Bars in Mexico City," 27 Feb. 2018 Padilla is one of Spain’s most famous matadors and he has been rewarded and praised for his bullfighting skills. — Katherine Lam, Fox News, "Famous one-eyed matador scalped by bull in gory video," 10 July 2018 The sheet music is from 1910, and the matadors were added in black marker about 10 years ago. — Brooke Porter Katz, Condé Nast Traveler, "Kneeland Co.'s Joanna Williams Wants to Find You a Rare Souvenir," 15 June 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'matador.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

See More

First Known Use of matador

1681, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for matador

Spanish, from matar to kill

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about matador

Time Traveler for matador

Time Traveler

The first known use of matador was in 1681

See more words from the same year

Statistics for matador

Last Updated

25 Nov 2019

Cite this Entry

“Matador.” The Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster Inc., https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/matador. Accessed 13 December 2019.

Keep scrolling for more

More Definitions for matador

matador

noun
How to pronounce matador (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of matador

: the person who has the major part in a bullfight and who kills the bull

See the full definition for matador in the English Language Learners Dictionary

matador

noun
mat·​a·​dor | \ ˈma-tə-ˌdȯr How to pronounce matador (audio) \

Kids Definition of matador

: a bullfighter who plays the most important human part in a bullfight

Keep scrolling for more

More from Merriam-Webster on matador

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with matador

Spanish Central: Translation of matador

Nglish: Translation of matador for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about matador

Comments on matador

What made you want to look up matador? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

Show Comments  Hide Comments 

WORD OF THE DAY

tractable

Listen to the pronounciation of tractable

easily led, controlled, or managed

Get Word of the Day daily email!

Test Your Vocabulary

Semantic Drift Quiz

  • a twisty river
  • Which of the following was once a synonym for fun?
Spell It

Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?

TAKE THE QUIZ
Dictionary Devil

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play
Ask the Editors
Word Games