ENGLISH
REFERENCE

rancho

n. countable
C2 Proficiency US //ˈɹæntʃoʊ// UK //ɹˈɑːntʃəʊ// ran·cho Archaic Dialect

n. a large farm or a simple house in the countryside, especially in Spanish-speaking parts of the Americas. It is often used to describe a place where animals like cattle are raised.

n. a large cattle ranch or a small, rural dwelling, primarily in Latin America or the Southwestern United States. Often carries a regional or dialectal flavor depending on the specific geographic context.


SIMPLE

The family lives on a small rancho in the mountains.

CONTEXTUAL

After years of working in the city, he retired to a quiet rancho to raise horses.

COMPLEX

The historical narrative details the transition of the territory from colonial missions to private ranchos, which fundamentally altered the local economy and land distribution patterns.

Origin

Borrowed from Spanish rancho (“mess, mess room”). Compare ranch.

Usage

Commonly used in regional English dialects influenced by Spanish; may refer to a grand estate or a humble hut depending on the country.

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