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Glite Dictionary
farolito

farolito

1 9.1
A small paper lantern placed outside at Christmas to give soft light
  • noun
  • /ˌfɑːrəˈliːtoʊ/
  • US
translation icon : farolito
  • the glow of farolitos

Examples

  • First, I met up with one of my childhood best friends, Deejae, who introduced me to El Farolito in Placentia for some authentic Mexican food!

    Blog text (24)

  • I love the carne asada burritos at El Farolito.

    Blog text (30)

  • The glowing farolitos brighten the streets, creating a festive atmosphere for the holiday celebration.

  • During the Christmas festival, we hung farolitos along the path to guide our guests to the party.

  • At night, the farolitos lit up the yard, making it a warm and welcoming place for everyone.

Synonyms

Chinese lantern
vsfarolito
1 4.0

A decorative paper light that folds and glows when lit for festivals

is smaller and often candlelit and tied to a specific regional Christmas practice
luminaria
vsfarolito
  • US
8.8

A small paper lantern with a candle that lights paths at night

is used mainly in Southwestern Christmas traditions rather than general pathway lighting
lampion
vsfarolito
8.9

A paper lantern hung as a decoration at festivals and parties

is specifically used in Southwestern Christmas events rather than general festival decoration
fanal
vsfarolito
  • Archaic
9.9

A small lantern people carry to give light in a procession

is a simple small paper light used in Southwestern Christmas displays rather than formal processions

Surface Forms

farolito singular
farolitos plural

Etymology

Farolito comes from the Spanish word farol meaning 'lantern' plus the small ending -ito meaning 'little', so it literally means a 'little lantern'. The older word farol goes back to the idea of a big guiding light (like a lighthouse), which helps explain why farolitos are small lights used to guide and decorate at Christmas.