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remate

reh-MAH-teh/reˈmate/

“remate” means “finishing touch” in Spanish. It has 3 different meanings depending on context:

finishing touch

Also: conclusion, capping
NounmB1
A artisan's hand placing a golden decorative ornament on top of a stone pillar.

📝 In Action

La chimenea tiene un remate de piedra muy elegante.

B1

The chimney has a very elegant stone finishing touch.

Este adorno es el remate perfecto para la decoración.

A2

This ornament is the perfect finishing touch for the decoration.

Como remate a su discurso, leyó un poema breve.

B2

To conclude his speech, he read a short poem.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • el remate final – the final touch
  • dar el remate – to put the finishing touch on

Idioms & Expressions

  • para más remate – as if that weren't enough / to top it all off (usually negative)

shot

Also: header, spike
NounmA2
A soccer player kicking a ball powerfully towards a goal net.

📝 In Action

Fue un remate de cabeza espectacular.

A2

It was a spectacular header.

El portero detuvo el remate de Messi.

B1

The goalkeeper stopped Messi's shot.

El equipo ganó gracias a un remate potente en el último minuto.

B1

The team won thanks to a powerful shot in the last minute.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Common Collocations

  • remate de cabeza – header
  • remate a puerta – shot on goal

clearance sale

Also: auction
NounmB2
Latin America
A store window with a large red banner and many cardboard boxes on the floor.

📝 In Action

Compré estos muebles en un remate.

B1

I bought this furniture at an auction.

Hay un remate total por cierre de temporada.

B2

There is a total clearance sale for the end of the season.

Anunciaron el remate de la casa por deudas.

C1

They announced the auction of the house due to debts.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • subasta (auction)
  • liquidación (clearance)

Common Collocations

  • remate bancario – bank foreclosure auction
  • precios de remate – rock-bottom prices

Translate to Spanish

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: remate

Question 1 of 3

If you are watching a soccer game and someone hits the ball with their head toward the goal, what is that called?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
rematar(to finish off / to conclude / to shoot) — Verb
rematado(finished / complete (often used for 'crazy')) — Adjective
rematador(finisher / auctioneer) — Noun
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼

From the Spanish verb 'rematar', which combines 're-' (again/completely) and 'matar' (to kill/to finish). Originally meant to deliver the final blow to end something.

First recorded: 13th century

Cognates (Related words)

Portuguese: remate

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'remate' the same as 'fin'?

Not exactly. 'Fin' is the end of a period of time or a story. 'Remate' is the physical finishing touch, the last action that completes a work, or a shot in sports.

Can I use 'remate' for a wedding anniversary?

No, that wouldn't be natural. 'Remate' is for tasks, buildings, sports shots, or sales. For an event conclusion, use 'cierre' or 'final'.

Is it a slang word?

No, it is a standard word, though its meaning as a 'sale' is more common in Latin America than in Spain.