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compadre

noun
com·​pa·​dre | \ kəm-ˈpä-drā How to pronounce compadre (audio) , -drē\

Definition of compadre

: a close friend : buddy
Synonyms & Antonyms Get Friendly With the Definition of Compadre Example Sentences Learn More about compadre

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Synonyms & Antonyms for compadre

Synonyms

alter ego, amigo, buddy, chum, comrade, confidant, confidante, crony, familiar, friend, intimate, mate [chiefly British], musketeer, pal

Antonyms

enemy, foe

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Get Friendly With the Definition of Compadre

In Spanish, a child's father and godfather are, to each other, "compadres" - that is, "co-fathers." "Compadre" is also a traditional term of reverence and friendship for a man. The equivalent feminine term in Spanish is comadre. "Compadre" and "comadre" appeared simultaneously in the work that gives us our first known use of "compadre" in English: "'Busy as common, comadre!' said Lopez as he entered, addressing the mother, 'late and early I can find you at work.' 'Yes, compadre,' was the answer." (Albert Pike, "A Mexican Tale," 1834). In English, compadre means "friend and can refer to a person of either sex." "Comadre" continues to appear occasionally in English contexts, but it is not yet well enough established to merit entry in English dictionaries.

Examples of compadre in a Sentence

How are you doing, compadre? they're longtime compadres who have been through a lot together

Recent Examples on the Web

 Though these worldly concerns sometimes cause friction within the group, Renaldo and his compadres always find their way back together. — Kristen Baldwin, EW.com, "A love letter to Los Espookys, TV's most delightful freak show," 3 July 2019 Here’s to the competitors and compadres who inspire us now and throughout the year. *** Best of the Web will not publish on Monday or Tuesday but will return on Wednesday. *** Follow James Freeman on Twitter. — James Freeman, WSJ, "‘A Great Joy’," 21 Dec. 2018 The breeziness is a feint: Anolik has spent years on research, working meticulously to fill in the blanks where Babitz or her compadres had been too drunk to remember. — Lidija Haas, Harper's magazine, "New Books," 10 Jan. 2019 Here’s to the competitors and compadres who inspire us now and throughout the year. — James Freeman, WSJ, "‘A Great Joy’," 21 Dec. 2018 Other losers topping the list: Indianapolis, Salt Lake City and Madison, Wis. Welcome to the club, compadres. — Angela Fritz, Washington Post, "D.C. is No. 2 on the list of ‘snow losers’ this winter," 8 Feb. 2018 His voice flat, Towers summed up not only his own state but that of his longtime compadre, manager Bruce Bochy. — Tom Krasovic, sandiegouniontribune.com, "All this Padres losing wouldn't sit well with Kevin Towers," 11 May 2018 This complements the boldly sculptural lighting design of Marc Newson, another longtime Alaïa collaborator and compadre. — Luke Leitch, Vogue, "Carla Sozzani on Azzedine Alaïa’s Flourishing Afterlife—And New Store—In London," 26 Apr. 2018 For the clients, this luxe enclosure is a gift to their feline compadres, providing a cat-only retreat from the owners’ puppy. — Barbara Eldredge, Curbed, "World’s fanciest cat cage looks like a work of art," 16 Mar. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'compadre.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of compadre

1834, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for compadre

Spanish, literally, godfather, from Medieval Latin compater — more at compeer

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More Definitions for compadre

compadre

noun
How to pronounce compadre (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of compadre

chiefly US, informal : a close friend

See the full definition for compadre in the English Language Learners Dictionary

More from Merriam-Webster on compadre

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for compadre

Spanish Central: Translation of compadre

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