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escoba

es-KOH-bah/esˈko.βa/

“escoba” means “broom” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:

broom

Also: brush
NounfA1
General
A classic wooden broom with straw bristles standing against a plain wall.

📝 In Action

Necesito una escoba para limpiar el suelo.

A1

I need a broom to clean the floor.

La escoba está detrás de la puerta.

A1

The broom is behind the door.

En los cuentos, las brujas vuelan en una escoba.

A2

In stories, witches fly on a broomstick.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Antonyms

  • fregona (mop)

Common Collocations

  • pasar la escoba – to sweep (literally 'to pass the broom')
  • escoba de mano – hand broom / whisk broom
  • palo de escoba – broomstick / broom handle

Idioms & Expressions

  • escoba nueva barre bien – New things (or people) usually perform well at first to make a good impression.

Escoba

NounfB1informal
A hand holding a fan of colorful playing cards over a wooden table.

📝 In Action

¿Quieres jugar una partida a la escoba?

B1

Do you want to play a round of Escoba?

¡Hice una escoba y me llevé todas las cartas!

B2

I made an 'escoba' and took all the cards!

Word Connections

Common Collocations

  • hacer escoba – to clear all cards from the table in the game

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "escoba" in Spanish:

broom→brush→escoba→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: escoba

Question 1 of 3

Which verb is most commonly associated with using an 'escoba'?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
barrer(to sweep) — Verb
escobazo(a blow with a broom) — Noun
escobilla(small brush / toilet brush) — Noun
escobillón(large sweeping brush) — Noun
🎵 Rhymes▼
alcobalobaboba
📚 Etymology▼

From the Latin word 'scopa', which referred to thin branches or twigs bundled together to form a brush.

First recorded: 13th century

Cognates (Related words)

Portuguese: escovaItalian: scopa

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can 'escoba' be used for a hairbrush?

No. For a hairbrush, you should use 'cepillo' or 'cepillo de pelo'. 'Escoba' is strictly for floors.

What is the difference between 'escoba' and 'escobilla'?

An 'escoba' is the large broom for the floor. An 'escobilla' is usually a smaller brush, most commonly the 'escobilla del váter' (toilet brush).

Is it 'escoba' in all Spanish-speaking countries?

Yes, 'escoba' is understood everywhere, though some countries might use 'cepillo' for a push-broom.