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vello

bey-yo/ˈbeʝo/

“vello” means “body hair” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:

body hair, fuzz

Also: peach fuzz, down
NounmB1
A close-up illustration of a person's forearm showing soft, fine hairs.

📝 In Action

El vello de sus brazos es muy rubio y casi no se ve.

A2

The hair on his arms is very blonde and can hardly be seen.

Sentí un escalofrío y se me erizó el vello de la nuca.

B1

I felt a chill and the hair on the back of my neck stood up.

Mucha gente prefiere eliminar el vello corporal en verano.

B2

Many people prefer to remove body hair in the summer.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • pelo (hair)
  • pelusa (fuzz/lint)

Antonyms

  • calvicie (baldness)

Common Collocations

  • vello corporal – body hair
  • vello facial – facial hair
  • erizarse el vello – to have one's hair stand on end

down, fuzz

NounmC1
A close-up illustration of a peach with soft, fuzzy skin.

📝 In Action

El vello del melocotón puede resultar molesto para algunas personas.

B2

The fuzz on the peach can be annoying to some people.

Las hojas de esta planta están cubiertas de un vello blanquecino.

C1

The leaves of this plant are covered in a whitish down.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • pelusa (fuzz)

Common Collocations

  • vello de la fruta – fruit fuzz

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "vello" in Spanish:

body hair→down→fuzz→peach fuzz→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: vello

Question 1 of 3

Which word would you use to describe the fine hair on your arm?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
velloso(hairy or fuzzy) — Adjective
vellosidad(hairiness/fuzziness) — Noun
vellón(fleece) — Noun
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼

From the Latin word 'villus', which referred to a tuft of hair or a shaggy hair on an animal.

First recorded: 13th century

Cognates (Related words)

English: villusItalian: vello

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'vello' and 'bello' pronounced differently?

In most Spanish dialects, they are pronounced exactly the same. The difference is only in the spelling and the meaning.

Can I use 'vello' for my beard?

Usually, beard hair is called 'pelo de la barba' because it is thicker. 'Vello' is better for the very soft, thin hair on your cheeks before a beard grows.

What is 'vello púbico'?

It is the standard, clinical, and neutral term for pubic hair.