Spanish Conversation · Level 92
60 words
Spanish word
merodear
Pronunciation
IPA/meɾoðeˈaɾ/
Meaning
- verbloiter
Example
Hay alguien merodeando por la calle.
Someone is loitering in the street.
More examples
Los ladrones suelen merodear por el vecindario antes de entrar.
Thieves often loiter in the neighborhood before entering.
Core concept
A person lingering near a doorway, watching quietly.
Common phrases
merodear por la calle
loiter in the street
merodear por el barrio
loiter in the neighborhood
Similar words
rondar: Moves back and forth around a place, staying near its perimeter.
vagar: Walks aimlessly from place to place without a clear purpose.
acechar: Watches or follows someone closely from hiding, avoiding detection.
deambular: Walks slowly and aimlessly, with no hurry and no set destination.
Definition in Spanish
Andar o permanecer cerca de un lugar o de una persona con intención de observar, buscar algo o comportarse de modo sospechoso.
Word origin
The origin is uncertain and the Spanish verb uses the productive verbalizer -ear to express moving about near people or places with a watchful or suspicious intent.
Usage tips
- Carries a strong suspicious or predatory connotation, unlike neutral English verbs such as stroll or hang around.
Other meanings
- prowlverb
- snoop aroundverb
Opposites
- permanecerremainverb
- quedarsestayverb
Related words
- merodeoloiteringnoun
- merodeadorloiterernoun