matador

noun

mat·​a·​dor ˈma-tə-ˌdȯr How to pronounce matador (audio)
: 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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The cast are clustered around a table of props and despite her disappointment at the lack of hag wigs, Dale Dickey is flapping a fishing net like a seafaring matador. — Antonia Blyth, Deadline, 14 Aug. 2026 Galliano leaned into the celebrity his success won him, walking out at the end of his own runway shows dressed as an astronaut, or a pirate, or a matador. — Zoe Sottile, CNN Money, 6 Aug. 2026 The coaster’s backstory incorporates the name of the village — named for the storms that sweep across the plains — and a local unbeatable bull that the matadors nicknamed Tormenta for his fierce strength and incredible speed. — Brady MacDonald, Oc Register, 19 June 2026 His floor in the postseason is well documented, with single-digit scoring performances, games with more turnovers than field goals and instances of matador defense. — Law Murray, New York Times, 21 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for matador

Word History

Etymology

Spanish, from matar to kill

First Known Use

1681, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of matador was in 1681

Rhymes for matador

See All Rhymes for matador

Browse Nearby Words

Matadi
matador
Matagalpa
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Matador.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/matador. Accessed 21 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

matador

noun
mat·​a·​dor ˈmat-ə-ˌdȯ(ə)r How to pronounce matador (audio)
: the bullfighter who plays the major human part in a bullfight
Etymology

Spanish, literally "killer"

More from Merriam-Webster on matador

Nglish: Translation of matador for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about matador

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

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

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of rigmarole

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

How to Pronounce the Trickiest Menu Items

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Do you 'say your piece' or 'say your peace'?

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

The Words of the Week - Aug. 21

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
alt-684346df967d5
Add A Letter Quiz Pick the letter that goes in the same spot in fou...
See All