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nimbo means halo — a common term in Beautiful Spanish. Learn how it's used in a real-world example.

📅 Published: January 6, 2026

✨ Beautiful Spanish

nimbo

noun • /[NEEM-bo]/

halo

Example:

Un nimbo rodeaba la luna llena.

A halo surrounded the full moon.

🧠 What does nimbo mean?

Nimbo refers to a luminous circle or disc of light, often depicted in art around the heads of saints, deities, or sacred figures. It is synonymous with a halo or aureola. Additionally, in meteorology, un nimbo is a dark, gray, rain-bearing cloud, known in English as a nimbus cloud.

📚 Extra examples

  • En el arte bizantino, es común ver a los santos representados con un nimbo dorado.
    In Byzantine art, it is common to see saints depicted with a golden halo.
  • La victoria le confirió un nimbo de prestigio y respeto entre sus colegas.
    The victory bestowed upon him a halo of prestige and respect among his colleagues.
  • Un denso nimbo cubrió el sol, anunciando la inminente tormenta.
    A dense nimbus cloud covered the sun, heralding the imminent storm.

💡 Did You Know?

The word 'nimbo' comes directly from the Latin 'nimbus', which meant 'cloud', 'rainstorm', or 'halo'. This Latin origin neatly explains the word's two distinct meanings in Spanish: a luminous circle (like a radiant cloud) and a dark rain cloud.

🔁 Synonyms & opposites of "nimbo"

Synonyms: aureola, halo, corona, resplandor
Opposites: sombra, oscuridad

🔍 See more beautiful spanish words

❓ FAQ

How do you say 'halo' in Spanish?
The most common words are 'halo' and 'aureola'. 'Nimbo' is a more specific, formal, and often literary or artistic term for the same concept.
How do you pronounce 'nimbo' in Spanish?
The pronunciation is NEEM-boh, with the stress on the first syllable. The 'i' sounds like the 'ee' in 'see'.
How do you use 'nimbo' in a sentence?
An example is: 'El pintor añadió un nimbo brillante sobre la cabeza del ángel.' (The painter added a bright halo over the angel's head.)
What is the English translation of 'nimbo'?
The English translation is 'halo' or 'nimbus'.
Does 'nimbo' change for gender or number?
'Nimbo' is a masculine noun. It does not change for gender. The plural form is 'nimbos'.
Is 'nimbo' common in everyday Spanish?
No, it is not a common word in everyday conversation. It is primarily used in formal, academic, or literary contexts, such as art history, theology, or meteorology.
Does 'nimbo' have slang or double meanings?
Beyond its two main meanings (a sacred halo and a rain cloud), 'nimbo' does not have any common slang or alternative interpretations in modern Spanish.
Is 'nimbo' used differently in Spain vs Latin America?
There are no significant differences in its usage. The term is specialized and its meaning is consistent across the Spanish-speaking world.

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