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viejo

viejo

9 9.9
A loving name for an old man, often a grandfather
  • noun
  • /viˈeɪhoʊ/
  • Informal
translation icon : viejo
  • Every Sunday, I visit my viejo to enjoy his delicious home-cooked meals.
  • el viejo

Examples

  • You were warned, viejo.

  • But your viejo would work 16 hours a day, bust his ass.

  • You fall in love, viejo?

  • We make a good couple, viejo.

  • Now tell me good and well what you are doing here, viejo.

    Fiction book (1994)
  • I want you to listen carefully, viejo.

  • Esteban merely returned it until the viejo looked away.

    Fiction book (1997)
  • "Ay, viejo, you're not even going to offer a glass of water?"

    Fiction book (2002)
  • I've got to give you props, viejo.

  • You remember me, viejo?

Synonyms

old man
vsviejo
  • Informal
312 1.4

A casual word for one's father

is used affectionately mainly for elder male relatives rather than for fathers
grampa
vsviejo
  • Informal
40 5.0

An older man who is the parent of one of your parents

is a Spanish-origin affectionate term used in English instead
grandpappy
vsviejo
  • Informal
6 7.7

An older man who is your grandfather or a kind male relative

is a Spanish-origin affectionate usage rather than an English form
grandpap
vsviejo
  • Informal
1 6.7

An old man used as a friendly name for your grandfather or another older man

is a Spanish-origin affectionate word used in English instead

How Old

elder
162 3.1
viejo
  • Informal
9 9.9

Surface Forms

viejo singular
viejos plural

Etymology

Viejo comes from Spanish viejo, which means 'old' and shares the Latin root vetus 'old' found in English veteran. So calling a man a viejo in English keeps the Spanish sense of a respected 'old man' or grandfather.