Etymology Map
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Hombre

3 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means a man, especially a tough one

Where does the word "hombre" come from? It comes from Latin hominem, passing through Spanish before entering English (1840s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
hominem
Latin · ancient
"person"
a human being
2
Stage 2 of 3
hombre
Spanish · medieval
"man"
man
3
Stage 3 of 3
hombre
American English · 1840s
"man, tough guy"
'tough hombre' became a stock phrase of Western novels and films
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Read the full story

Hombre’s story begins in Latin: hominem meant “person.” A human being. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Spanish as hombre. Man. It reached English by 1840s as hombre. 'tough hombre' became a stock phrase of Western novels and films. Today, hombre means a man, especially a tough one.