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pelado means baldie — a common term in Funny Words. Learn how it's used in a real-world example.

📅 Published: November 25, 2025

😆 Funny Words

pelado

noun • /[peh-LA-doh]/

baldie

Example:

Ese pelado brilla con el sol.

That baldie shines in the sun.

🧠 What does pelado mean?

As a noun, 'pelado' is an informal and colloquial term for a bald person, equivalent to 'baldie' in English. It can be used affectionately between friends or as a lighthearted, descriptive nickname. Depending on the tone and context, it could also be considered slightly impolite. The word is the past participle of the verb 'pelar' (to peel, to pluck), so its primary adjectival meaning is 'peeled' or 'hairless'. For example, 'un pollo pelado' (a plucked chicken) or 'una fruta pelada' (a peeled fruit). When used to describe a person, the adjective 'pelado' means bald.

📚 Extra examples

  • Mi vecino es un pelado muy simpático que siempre saluda.
    My neighbor is a very nice baldie who always says hello.
  • ¡Oye, pelado! ¿Vienes a jugar al fútbol con nosotros?
    Hey, baldie! Are you coming to play soccer with us?
  • En Argentina, si dices que estás 'pelado', significa que no tienes dinero.
    In Argentina, if you say you are 'pelado', it means you're broke.

💡 Did You Know?

The word 'pelado' comes directly from the verb 'pelar', which means 'to peel', 'to skin', or 'to pluck'. This connection paints a humorous and graphic image: a person without hair is like a fruit that has had its skin peeled off or a chicken that has been plucked. This origin is why the word can feel both descriptive and slightly teasing.

🔁 Synonyms & opposites of "pelado"

Synonyms: calvo
Opposites: peludo, melenudo

🔍 See more funny words words

❓ FAQ

How do you say 'baldie' in Spanish?
A common and informal way to say 'baldie' is 'pelado'. A more neutral and standard term is 'calvo', which is an adjective meaning 'bald' but is often used as a noun.
How do you pronounce 'pelado' in Spanish?
It is pronounced /peˈla.ðo/. The emphasis is on the second syllable: pe-LA-do.
How do you use 'pelado' in a sentence?
As a noun for a person: 'El pelado de la esquina me vendió el periódico' (The bald guy on the corner sold me the newspaper). As an adjective: 'Mi padre está casi pelado' (My father is almost bald).
What is the English translation of 'pelado'?
As a colloquial noun referring to a person, it translates to 'baldie'. As an adjective, it means 'bald', 'peeled', or 'hairless'.
Does 'pelado' change for gender or number?
Yes, it does. The feminine form is 'pelada', the masculine plural is 'pelados', and the feminine plural is 'peladas'.
Is 'pelado' common in everyday Spanish?
Yes, it is very common in informal, spoken Spanish, particularly in Latin America. The word 'calvo' is more frequent in formal contexts and in Spain.
Does 'pelado' have slang or double meanings?
Yes. In several Latin American countries, 'estar pelado' means 'to be broke' or 'penniless'. In places like Colombia or Ecuador, 'pelado' can refer to a young boy or a kid. In Argentina and Uruguay, it can also mean a 'nobody' or an insignificant person.
Is 'pelado' used differently in Spain vs Latin America?
Yes. In Spain, 'calvo' is the standard term for a bald person, and 'pelado' is mostly used to mean 'peeled'. In Latin America, 'pelado' is widely used as a colloquial term for a bald person and also carries various slang meanings that are not common in Spain.

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