ENGLISH
REFERENCE

poncho

n. countable
B2 Upper Intermediate US //ˈpɑntʃoʊ// UK //pˈɒntʃəʊ// pon·cho

n. a large piece of cloth that you wear over your shoulders to keep the rain off. It usually has a hole in the middle for your head and has long sleeves.

n. a large, rectangular piece of waterproof fabric worn as a cloak, typically with a hole for the head and long sleeves. Often used in military or outdoor contexts.


SIMPLE

He pulled his rain poncho over his head before the storm started.

CONTEXTUAL

The hikers carried lightweight ponchos in their packs to stay dry during the sudden mountain downpour.

COMPLEX

While traditional raincoats offer more tailored protection, a simple poncho remains a practical choice for those seeking a quick, affordable solution to sudden tropical showers.

Origin

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).

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