gusano
“gusano” means “worm” in Spanish. It has 3 different meanings depending on context:
worm
Also: grub, caterpillar
📝 In Action
Después de la lluvia, vimos muchos gusanos en el suelo.
A1After the rain, we saw many worms on the ground.
El gusano de seda es famoso por producir la seda.
B1The silkworm is famous for producing silk.
scoundrel, creep
Also: rat
📝 In Action
No confíes en él, es un gusano que solo busca problemas.
C1Don't trust him, he's a creep who only looks for trouble.
Lo trataron como a un gusano después de lo que hizo.
C1They treated him like dirt (like a worm) after what he did.
computer worm
📝 In Action
El ataque fue causado por un nuevo tipo de gusano informático.
B2The attack was caused by a new type of computer worm.
Translate to Spanish
Words that translate to "gusano" in Spanish:
caterpillar→computer worm→creep→grub→rat→scoundrel→worm→✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: gusano
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence uses 'gusano' to mean something other than a small animal?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
📚 Etymology▼
The word comes from the Late Latin *gussana*, which itself likely comes from a pre-Roman Iberian language root. It has always referred to the crawling, larval creature.
First recorded: 13th century
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'gusano' the same as 'lombriz'?
'Gusano' is a general term for many types of worms, including caterpillars and grubs. 'Lombriz' specifically means 'earthworm,' the kind you find in garden soil. So, all 'lombrices' are 'gusanos', but not all 'gusanos' are 'lombrices'.
Can 'gusano' be used for women?
Yes, when used as an insult (meaning a 'creep' or 'scoundrel'), it can refer to a woman, even though the word itself is masculine. You would still say 'Ella es un gusano' (She is a worm/creep).