Waldo (english) - meaning, definition, translation, pronunciation

Part of Speech

Noun

Phonetic Transcription

/wɔːl.doʊ/

Meaning and Usage

"Waldo" refers primarily to a fictional character from the "Where's Waldo?" series of children's books created by British illustrator Martin Handford. In these books, readers are challenged to find Waldo, a man dressed in a red-and-white striped shirt, a bobble hat, and glasses, among crowded scenes. The term can also be used informally to refer to a person who is difficult to locate or identify.

In American English, the name "Waldo" has gained popularity through the books, and it is often associated with the act of searching for someone or something in a complex scene.

Frequency of Use

The term is used more frequently in informal contexts and is particularly popular among children and in discussions about the "Where's Waldo?" series. It’s less frequently used in formal or academic settings.

Example Sentences

1. Every weekend, my family enjoys playing "Where's Waldo?" to see who can find Waldo the fastest.

2. В каждую субботу моя семья любит играть в "Где Уолдо?", чтобы узнать, кто быстрее сможет найти Уалдо.

3. At the festival, it took me ages to locate Waldo in the huge crowd of people.

4. На фестивале мне потребовалось много времени, чтобы найти Уалдо среди огромной толпы людей.

5. My little sister is so good at finding Waldo; she once found him in under ten seconds!

6. Моя младшая сестра так хорошо находит Уолдо; она однажды нашла его менее чем за десять секунд!

Idiomatic Expressions

While "Waldo" itself is not commonly used in idiomatic expressions, it has inspired playful phrases associated with searching or being elusive.

1. "I felt like I was playing 'Where’s Waldo?' trying to find my keys in this messy room."

2. "Я чувствовал себя так, как будто играл в 'Где Уолдо?', пытаясь найти свои ключи в этой беспорядочной комнате."

3. "During the parade, I had to scan the crowd like a game of 'Where’s Waldo?' to find my friend."

4. "Во время парада мне нужно было просматривать толпу, как в игре 'Где Уолдо?', чтобы найти своего друга."

5. "He always has that Waldo quality, blending into the background when we’re out in public."

6. "У него всегда есть эта качества Уолдо, сливаясь с окружением, когда мы находимся на улице."

7. "Looking for the missing document felt like a 'Where's Waldo?' challenge in the office."

8. "Поиск отсутствующей документации felt like a 'Where's Waldo?' challenge в офисе."

Etymology

The name "Waldo" has Old Germanic roots, where it was derived from "Wald," meaning "rule" or "power." However, its modern popularity stems largely from its association with Martin Handford's 1987 book "Where's Wally?" (titled "Where's Waldo?" in North America). The character was popularized in children's literature, particularly in the late 20th century, and has since become a cultural icon.

Synonyms and Antonyms

Synonyms: - Unknown person - Elusive figure

Antonyms: - Easily identifiable person - Visible figure