agarrado
“agarrado” means “held” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:
held, clinging
Also: caught
📝 In Action
El niño camina agarrado de la mano de su padre.
A1The boy walks holding his father's hand.
Mantente agarrado a la barandilla cuando bajes las escaleras.
A2Keep holding onto the handrail when you go down the stairs.
El gato está agarrado a la cortina y no puede bajar.
B1The cat is clinging to the curtain and can't get down.
stingy, cheap
Also: tight-fisted
📝 In Action
No esperes que te invite, es un poco agarrado.
B1Don't expect him to treat you; he's a bit stingy.
Mi jefe es tan agarrado que nunca compra café para la oficina.
B2My boss is so cheap that he never buys coffee for the office.
Aunque tiene mucho dinero, siempre ha sido una persona muy agarrada.
B2Even though she has a lot of money, she has always been a very tight-fisted person.
Translate to Spanish
✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: agarrado
Question 1 of 3
If someone never wants to pay for dinner, they are:
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
📚 Etymology▼
Derived from the verb 'agarrar,' which comes from the word 'garra' (claw or talon). The literal idea is to hold something with claws so it doesn't escape.
First recorded: 13th century
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'agarrado' a bad word?
Not at all! It just means 'held' or 'stingy.' However, calling someone stingy can be seen as a minor insult depending on your tone.
How is it different from 'tacaño'?
They mean the same thing (stingy). 'Tacaño' is the standard dictionary word, while 'agarrado' is a bit more descriptive and informal, like saying someone is 'tight-fisted' in English.
Can I use 'agarrado' for things that are stuck?
Yes! If a drawer is stuck or a piece of clothing is caught on a nail, you can say it is 'agarrado'.