Word
poncho
Phoneticspon·cho
US/ˈpɑntʃoʊ/
UK/pˈɒntʃəʊ/
Definitions
01traditional garment
n. a warm piece of clothing made from a large sheet of fabric with a hole in the middle for your head.
n. a traditional outer garment made of a single piece of fabric, typically wool, with a central opening for the head.
“She bought a colourful wool poncho while travelling through the mountains of Peru.”
“The artisan demonstrated how the traditional poncho was woven on a backstrap loom, using patterns that had been passed down for generations.”
Usage
The noun is countable and usually refers to the traditional textile style when used in a fashion context.
02waterproof rain gear
n. a waterproof cover, often with a hood, that you wear over your clothes to stay dry in the rain.
n. a modern waterproof garment, often made of plastic or rubber, designed to protect the wearer and their equipment from rain.
“We put on our plastic ponchos when the rain started during the outdoor concert.”
“Hikers often prefer a lightweight rain poncho because it can easily fit over a large backpack, providing better coverage than a standard jacket.”
Usage
Often used with 'rain' as a compound noun: 'rain poncho'.
Teaching tip
In modern contexts, this sense is very common for outdoor events and hiking.
Synonyms
Etymology
Borrowed from Spanish poncho, from Quechua punchu. In sense “rubber rain poncho”, attested 1845, used for non-South American garments in the United States and England from 1850s, popularized by US Western expeditions and military from 1850s, particularly after World War II (1940s).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Scan code
englishreference.com/q/poncho