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licenciado

lee-sen-syah-doh/liθenˈθjaðo/

graduate

Also: degree holder
NounmB1formal
A person wearing a graduation gown and cap, holding a rolled diploma with a ribbon.

📝 In Action

Mi hermano es licenciado en Biología.

B1

My brother has a degree in Biology.

La empresa busca a un licenciado con experiencia.

B1

The company is looking for a graduate with experience.

Él ya es licenciado y ahora busca trabajo.

B1

He is already a graduate and is now looking for a job.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • licenciado en derecho – law graduate
  • recién licenciado – recently graduated

lawyer

Also: sir/counselor
NounmB1formal
Mexico & Central America
A professional person in a business suit holding a leather briefcase.

📝 In Action

Dígame, licenciado, ¿qué opina del caso?

B1

Tell me, counselor, what do you think of the case?

Mañana tengo una cita con el licenciado Martínez.

B1

Tomorrow I have an appointment with Mr. Martínez (the lawyer).

Buenos días, licenciado.

A2

Good morning, sir (addressing a professional/lawyer).

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • abogado (lawyer)
  • letrado (learned person/lawyer)

Common Collocations

  • señor licenciado – Mr. Lawyer (very formal)

discharged

Also: licensed
AdjectivemB2formal
A person in a simple military uniform walking away from a base with a duffel bag.

📝 In Action

El soldado fue licenciado tras tres años de servicio.

C1

The soldier was discharged after three years of service.

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "licenciado" in Spanish:

discharged→graduate→lawyer→licensed→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: licenciado

Question 1 of 3

If you meet a lawyer in Mexico, what is a polite way to address them?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
licenciatura(bachelor's degree) — Noun
licencia(license/permit) — Noun
licenciar(to graduate/to license) — Verb
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼

From the Latin word 'licentiatus', which means 'someone who has been granted a license or permission' to perform a certain job or task.

First recorded: 13th century

Cognates (Related words)

English: licensedFrench: licencié

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'licenciado' the same as 'abogado'?

Not exactly. 'Abogado' is specifically a lawyer. 'Licenciado' is anyone with a degree, but it is very commonly used as a title for lawyers in Latin America.

Does it mean the same in Spain and Mexico?

In Spain, it's mostly a formal way to say someone has a degree. In Mexico, it's used much more often as a title (like 'Mr.' or 'Sir') in everyday professional conversation.

Can I use 'licenciado' for a doctor?

Usually, no. Doctors are addressed as 'Doctor' or 'Doctora'. 'Licenciado' is for other university majors like law, business, or communication.