alcahuete

Spanish

Etymology

From Andalusian Arabic القَوَّاد (al-qawwád), from Arabic قَوَّاد (qawwād, “pimp”). Cognate with Portuguese alcaguete.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /alkaˈwete/ [al.kaˈwe.t̪e]
• Rhymes: -ete
• Syllabification: al‧ca‧hue‧te

Noun

alcahuete m (plural alcahuetes, feminine alcahueta, feminine plural alcahuetas)

1. gossip (person)

   Synonyms: chismoso, cotilla

2. go-between, matchmaker
3. pimp (prostitution solicitor)

   Synonyms: cabrón, cafiche, chulo, proxeneta, rufián

4. panderer, sycophant, ingratiator
5. enabler
6. drop curtain

Derived terms

• alcahuetear
• alcahuetería

 

Further reading

• “alcahuete”, in Diccionario de la lengua española [Dictionary of the Spanish Language] (in Spanish), 23rd edition, Royal Spanish Academy, 2014 October 16