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calabozo

kah-lah-BOH-soh/kalaˈβoso/

“calabozo” means “dungeon” in Spanish (a dark underground room in a castle).

dungeon

Also: jail cell, lockup
NounmB1
A dark, stone dungeon cell with iron bars and a small torch on the wall.

📝 In Action

El guardia llevó al prisionero al calabozo del castillo.

B1

The guard took the prisoner to the castle dungeon.

Pasó la noche en el calabozo municipal por causar disturbios.

B2

He spent the night in the municipal holding cell for causing a disturbance.

Las paredes del calabozo estaban frías y húmedas.

B1

The walls of the jail cell were cold and damp.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • celda (cell)
  • mazmorra (dungeon)
  • prisión (prison)

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • echar al calabozo – to throw in the dungeon
  • encerrar en el calabozo – to lock up in the cell

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "calabozo" in Spanish:

dungeon→jail cell→lockup→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: calabozo

Question 1 of 1

Where would you most likely find a 'calabozo'?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
encalabozar(to imprison/to throw in a cell) — Verb
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼

Probably from a pre-Roman word meaning a hole or a pit, later influenced by Latin and Arabic words for confinement.

First recorded: 13th century

Cognates (Related words)

Portuguese: calabouço

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'calabozo' a common word in daily conversation?

Not really. You'll hear it in movies, books, or the news, but people don't use it much in casual daily chat unless they are talking about someone getting arrested.

Can I use 'calabozo' for a birdcage?

No, for a birdcage you should use the word 'jaula'.