Spanish word

compadre

Pronunciation

IPA/komˈpaðɾe/

Meaning

  • masculine nounclose friend

Example

Mi compadre me ayudó anoche.

My close friend helped me last night.

Illustration for compadre (close friend)

More examples

Ayer salí a cenar con mi compadre.

Yesterday I went out to dinner with my close friend.

Core concept

Two adults joined as godfather and parent at a baptism.

Common phrases

  • salir con compadre

    go out with a close friend

  • cenar con compadre

    dine with a close friend

  • llevarse bien con compadre

    be on good terms with a close friend

Similar words

amigo: Maintains a close friendship based on mutual affection and regular personal interaction.
padrino: Performs the role of godfather at a baptism, offering religious and mentoring support.
compinche: Acts as a partner in shared ventures or schemes, informally collaborating or conspiring.
colega: Belongs to the same workplace or school community, connected mainly by job or class.

Definition in Spanish

Persona considerada como padrino o compañero de confianza; coloquialmente, amigo íntimo.

Word origin

From medieval Latin compater meaning 'co-father' (com- 'with' + pater 'father'), originally a term for a child's godparent that later broadened to a trusted companion.

Usage tips

  • Compadre is often used informally to address a close friend or someone in the godparent relationship and is generally inappropriate with strangers, and the feminine form is comadre.

Other meanings

  • godparentnoun
  • companionnoun

Opposites

  • enemigoenemynoun
  • adversarioadversarynoun

Related words

  • compadrazgogodparent relationshipnoun
  • compadrearchum upverb

Word lists with this word