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Glite Dictionary
azulejo

azulejo

1 9.9
A painted ceramic tile used to decorate walls and buildings in Spain and Portugal
  • noun
  • /əˈzuːleɪhoʊ/
: azulejo
  • Prominent among them were azulejos (glazed tiles), which were applied in a variety of forms and motifs as floor and wall surfacing in both interior and exterior areas (Damaz 1963, 87-88).
  • azulejo tiles

Examples

  • During my trip to Porto, I admired the azulejos that decorated the old train station, showcasing beautiful scenes from Portuguese history.

  • Many buildings in Lisbon are adorned with stunning azulejos that tell stories through their intricate designs.

  • Some are plastered over and painted in pastels, one or two faced with Spanish tiles, azulejos.

    Fiction book (1991)

  • The restaurant's walls are covered in traditional blue-and-white azulejos, creating a charming atmosphere for diners.

Surface Forms

azulejo singular
azulejos plural

Etymology

Azulejo comes from Arabic al-zillīj, which meant 'polished stone' or 'tile' used for decoration. Many of these tiles are blue, so a helpful way to remember the word is to think of Spanish azul and English azure. That's why azulejo means a painted, tin-glazed ceramic tile used in Spain and Portugal.