Spanish word

untar

Pronunciation

IPA/unˈtaɾ/

Meaning

  • verbspread

Example

Por favor, unta la tostada con mantequilla.

Please spread butter on the toast.

Illustration for untar (spread)

More examples

Siempre unto el pan con aceite antes de desayunar.

I always spread oil on bread before breakfast.

Core concept

A thin smear of butter being spread over a slice of bread.

Common phrases

  • untar la tostada

    spread on toast

  • untar con mantequilla

    spread with butter

  • untar a alguien

    grease someone's palm

Similar words

extender: Applying a liquid or paste smoothly and evenly to form a thin film on a surface.
esparcir: Dispersing powder or liquid broadly in scattered spots or lines across an area.
embadurnar: Coating something copiously with sauce or grease so it becomes sticky and messy.
engrasar: Oiling equipment or surfaces to lubricate them and reduce friction.

Definition in Spanish

Aplicar una capa fina de una sustancia (aceite, mantequilla, crema) sobre otra cosa para humedecerla, protegerla o dar sabor; en sentido figurado y coloquial, sobornar a alguien.

Word origin

From Latin unguere 'to anoint', untar means to apply a thin oily or fatty layer and has a colloquial figurative sense of bribing someone.

Usage tips

  • The cooking sense is far more common, and when untar means 'bribe' the tone is colloquial and sobornar is more appropriate in formal contexts.

Other meanings

  • applyverb
  • bribeverb

Opposites

  • limpiarcleanseverb
  • desengrasardegreaseverb

Related words

  • untadosmearedadjective
  • unturasalvenoun

Word lists with this word