Words in Spanish That Have Changed Their Meaning Over Time (And Surprised Us Along the Way!)

Spanish never stops surprising us. It’s a living language that evolves with the people who speak it, and a clear example of this is the words whose meanings have changed over time. Some have transformed so much that if we travelled back in time, people would probably give us strange looks for using them the way we do today. Here are some linguistic stories that will make you smile.

Villano (Villain)

Today, we call the “villano” the evil character in a movie or the antagonist of a story. But if we go back a few centuries, the term had a humbler origin: a “villano” was simply someone who lived in a small village. So, how did a humble villager turn into a sinister character? Over time, the term acquired negative connotations by associating with lower-class people and, later, with questionable behaviour.

Bizarro (Bizarre)

This word is a perfect example of an unexpected twist. Originally, “bizarro” meant brave, generous, or noble, something worthy of a hero. However, the influence of the English word bizarre turned it into a synonym for strange or unusual. Today, depending on who you ask, it could mean either one.

Azafata (Flight Attendant)

Today, we think of an “azafata” as a friendly person who assists us on an aeroplane. But initially, the term referred to a lady-in-waiting in a royal court who served queens and princesses. It wasn’t until the 20th century, with the rise of air travel, that the word began to be used for the cabin crew. Pretty interesting, right? From palaces to the sky!

Formidable

Today, we say something is “formidable” to mean excellent, impressive, or outstanding. However, in its origin, this word had a darker nuance. It came from the Latin formidabilis, which meant “fear-inspiring” or “terrible.” Over time, that initial fear transformed into admiration, making the term more positive.

Burro (Donkey)

Yes, we all know the word “burro” refers to a lovable animal (or someone who isn’t very intelligent, though that’s a bit unfair). But did you know that in Latin, burricus meant “small horse”? What started as an elegant term ended up becoming much more rural.

Rodilla (Knee)

If you thought “rodilla” always referred only to the knee joint, think again. In Old Spanish, this word was also used to describe the elbow. Imagine the confusion in a medical conversation from that time!

Almohada (Pillow)

“Almohada” is an Arabic word (al-mukhadda) meaning “the place where you rest your cheek.” Though its function hasn’t changed much, the term has evolved across centuries and regions to become the sweet place where we rest our heads every night.

Botella (Bottle)

Nowadays, we think of a “botella” as a glass container, but in the Middle Ages, the term referred to clay jugs. With the arrival of new materials, the word evolved into the meaning we know today.

These stories remind us that Spanish is much more than just grammar rules: it’s a time machine reflecting our history and culture. Do you know of any other words that have changed their meaning? Please share your favourite, and let’s keep exploring the wonders of our language together!

Keep learning curiosities about the language and the Spanish language, visiting and reading the articles we publish weekly on the iScribo blog. If you want to improve your Spanish writing and correct a specific variant of this language, subscribe to our superb grammar checker. We are waiting for you!