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duende

noun
du·​en·​de | \ dü-ˈen-(ˌ)dā How to pronounce duende (audio) \

Definition of duende

: the power to attract through personal magnetism and charm
Synonyms & Antonyms Did You Know? Example Sentences Learn More about duende

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Did You Know?

The word duende refers to a spirit in Spanish, Portuguese, and Filipino folklore and literally means "ghost" or "goblin" in Spanish. It is believed to derive from the phrase "dueño de casa," which means "owner of a house." The term is traditionally used in flamenco music or other art forms to refer to the mystical or powerful force given off by a performer to draw in the audience. The Spanish poet Federico Garcia Lorca wrote in his essay "Teoria y Juego del Duende" ("Play and Theory of the Duende") that duende "is a power and not a behavior . . . a struggle and not a concept." Nowadays the term appears in a broader range of contexts to refer to one's unspoken charm or allure.

Examples of duende in a Sentence

even as a child, she had an unmistakable duende that attracted the attention of passersby

Recent Examples on the Web

 Ronald Reagan brought his California movie-star wattage and conservative duende, and, like that, after a four-year interlude from the Nixonian nadir, the Republican party was seemingly resurrected and would run the table for the next 12 years. — Michael Paterniti, GQ, "Jimmy Carter for Higher Office," 26 June 2018 To George Frazier, the Globe columnist known for his panache, Davidson was a man who embodied the term duende, an Andalusian Spanish term synonymous with class. — Janelle Nanos, BostonGlobe.com, "The Andover Shop, a Harvard Square salon for jazz artists and literati, is up for sale," 19 Apr. 2018 In nearby Acayucan, she’s dealt with duendes taunting her baby. — Megan Spurrell, Condé Nast Traveler, "In Catemaco, Mexico's 'Land of the Sorcerers'," 29 Mar. 2018 Amigo has more than lived up to his promise, with pyrotechnic virtuosity, charisma, and that intangible quality of soulful emotion the Spanish call duende. — Jim Harrington, The Mercury News, "SFJAZZ releases blockbuster 2017-18 season lineup," 15 June 2017 What draws us to Ichiro is what rakish former Esquire columnist George Frazier, inspired by Federico García Lorca, fancied as an athlete's duende: a synergistic combination of charisma, aptitude, and panache. — Alex Belth, Esquire, "Ichiro Suzuki: The Dossier," 2 Apr. 2017 Regardless, the 2017 Mini Cooper Countryman trades the brand’s dynamic duende for advancements in refinement and practicality. — Greg Fink, Car and Driver, "2017 Mini Cooper Countryman ALL4 1.5T Manual," 20 June 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'duende.' 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 duende

1964, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for duende

Spanish dialect, charm, from Spanish, ghost, goblin, probably from duen de casa, from dueño de casa owner of a house

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More from Merriam-Webster on duende

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for duende

Spanish Central: Translation of duende

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