The word "desperado" became widely used during the expansion of the American frontier, where lawlessness and banditry were common. It evokes images of rugged, dangerous individuals living outside the law, often romanticized in popular culture through stories, music, and movies.
desperado in English
- desperado⇄desperado, noun, pl.-doesor-dos.
a bold, reckless criminal; dangerous outlaw.
Ex. Billy the Kid and Jesse James were two famous desperadoes of the Wild West.
desperado in Gujarati ગુજરાતી
desperado in Sindhi سنڌي
desperado in Telugu తెలుగు
desperado in Urdu اُردُو
desperado
Part of Speech
Noun
Pronunciation
English: /ˌdɛspəˈrɑːdoʊ/ (American), /ˌdɛspəˈrɑːdəʊ/ (British)
Definitions
- A bold, reckless, or violent criminal or outlaw.
- A person who engages in dangerous or lawless activities, especially in a historical or western context.
Usage Examples
- The desperado made his escape on horseback.
- Legends tell of desperados roaming the Old West.
- The gang of desperados was finally captured by the sheriff.
Etymology
Derived from the Spanish word desesperado, meaning "desperate." First recorded in English in the early 17th century.
Synonyms
- Outlaw
- Bandit
- Renegade
- Criminal
- Rebel
Antonyms
- Law-abiding citizen
- Protector
- Guardian
Translations
| Language | Translations | Pronunciations |
|---|---|---|
| French | desperado | /dɛs.pe.ʁa.do/ |
| Spanish | desesperado | /desespeˈɾaðo/ |
| German | Desperado | /ˌdɛs.peˈʁaː.do/ |
| Hindi | गुंडा | /ɡʊɳɖaː/ |
| Tamil | கொள்ளைக்காரன் | /koɭɭaikkaːraɳ/ |
| Russian | отчаянный преступник | /ɐtˈt͡ɕæjənnɨj prʲɪˈstupnʲɪk/ |
| Arabic | مجرم متهور | /mudʒrim mutahawwir/ |
| Chinese (Mandarin) | 亡命徒 | /wáng mìng tú/ |
Regional Pronunciation Variations
- British English: /ˌdɛspəˈrɑːdəʊ/
- American English: /ˌdɛspəˈrɑːdoʊ/
Historical Usage
Commonly used in the 19th century to describe outlaws in the American West and other frontier regions.
Cultural Nuances
The term "desperado" is often associated with folk heroes or anti-heroes in Western films and literature.