English Reference

Word

zorro

Phoneticszor·ro

/ˈzɔˌɹoʊ/

Definition

n. a famous character in stories who is a fast, clever thief who wears a mask and a black cape. He is known for being a hero who helps the poor.

n. a fictional character in literature and film, typically depicted as a masked outlaw who uses his wit and agility to combat injustice. The name is Spanish for 'fox'.

Examples

“The children love watching the movie about Zorro.”

“In many classic Western films, Zorro is portrayed as a nobleman who disguises himself to protect the innocent.”

“The legend of Zorro has evolved from a 19th-century Spanish novel into a global cultural icon representing the archetype of the masked vigilante.”

Examples

simple

“The children love watching the movie about Zorro.”

contextual

“In many classic Western films, Zorro is portrayed as a nobleman who disguises himself to protect the innocent.”

complex

“The legend of Zorro has evolved from a 19th-century Spanish novel into a global cultural icon representing the archetype of the masked vigilante.”

Real-World Examples

“The creator of Zorro based the character on several real life Spanish and Mexican outlaws who operated in the West.”
NPR · 2 May 2014
“Isabel Allende, of all people, published a novel about the masked social crusader over the summer, and the Gipsy Kings are writing a Zorro musical, set to debut in the West End sometime next year.”
The Independent · 22 Aug 2005
“It’s the original Caped Crusader -- Zorro.”
Los Angeles Times · 28 Jun 2005

Etymology

Borrowed from Spanish zorro.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry

Level
C2 · Proficiency
Frequency
Occasional
Updated

Scan code

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