Spanish word

palabra

Pronunciation

IPA/paˈlaβɾa/

Meaning

  • feminine nounword

Example

No entiendo la palabra.

I don't understand the word.

Illustration for palabra (word)

More examples

Tienes la palabra para responder.

You have the floor to respond.

Core concept

Single linguistic unit of sound or sign that conveys meaning.

Common phrases

  • la palabra clave

    keyword

  • buscar la palabra

    look for the word

  • tener la palabra

    have the floor

Similar words

frase: Two or more words combined to make a single meaningful chunk.
expresión: Specific phrasing used to communicate an opinion, feeling, or concept.

Definition in Spanish

Unidad lingüística formada por sonidos o signos escritos que transmite un significado.

Word origin

Spanish palabra derives from Latin parabola and ultimately from Greek parabolē, where a sense of 'parable' or 'comparison' shifted over time to mean a single linguistic unit.

Usage tips

  • In phrases such as te doy mi palabra, palabra means a promise.

Other meanings

  • utterancenoun
  • promisenoun

Opposites

Related words

  • palabreríaempty talknoun
  • palabrotaswear wordnoun

Word lists with this word