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peluca

peh-LOO-kah/peˈluka/

“peluca” means “wig” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:

wig

Also: hairpiece, toupee
NounfA2
Argentina
A curly blonde wig sitting on a simple wooden mannequin head.

📝 In Action

Ella se puso una peluca de color rosa para la fiesta de disfraces.

A2

She put on a pink wig for the costume party.

El actor usa una peluca porque es calvo en la vida real.

A2

The actor uses a wig because he is bald in real life.

¡Qué peluca tan natural! No parece falsa.

B1

What a natural wig! It doesn't look fake.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • peluquín (toupee)
  • postizo (hairpiece)

Common Collocations

  • ponerse una peluca – to put on a wig
  • quitarse la peluca – to take off the wig
  • peluca de pelo natural – human hair wig

scolding

Also: earful
NounfC1informal
Spain
A small child looking down while a stern adult points a finger in a gesture of reprimand.

📝 In Action

Mi jefe me echó una peluca por llegar tarde.

C1

My boss gave me a scolding for arriving late.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • reprimenda (reprimand)
  • bronca (row/telling off)

Antonyms

  • elogio (praise)

Common Collocations

  • echar una peluca – to give someone a scolding

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "peluca" in Spanish:

earful→hairpiece→scolding→toupee→wig→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: peluca

Question 1 of 1

Which of these would you buy at a costume store?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
peluquería(hair salon) — Noun
peluquero(hairdresser) — Noun
peluquín(small hairpiece/toupee) — Noun
🎵 Rhymes▼
yucanucaeduca
📚 Etymology▼

From the French word 'perruque', which likely comes from the Italian 'parrucca', referring to a cluster of hair or a shaggy look.

First recorded: 17th century

Cognates (Related words)

French: perruqueEnglish: periwig (shortened to wig)Italian: parrucca

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'peluca' ever used for natural hair?

Rarely. It almost always refers to artificial hair. However, in some slang, a person with very big or messy hair might be jokingly called 'peluca'.

How do I say 'human hair wig' in Spanish?

You say 'peluca de pelo natural' or 'peluca de cabello humano'.