What does the Spanish word calavera mean in English?

The Spanish word calavera means “skull” in English.

In Day of the Dead celebrations, calavera commonly refers to a skull or skeleton image, especially a decorative or edible one. Sugar skulls, clay skulls, masks, and printed or painted skeleton figures can all be associated with the term.

The word is broader than the familiar sugar skull. It can describe artistic representations such as José Guadalupe Posada’s satirical skeletons, including La Calavera Catrina. The related word calaca usually refers to a skeleton, although everyday usage can overlap.

A common mix-up is confusing calavera with calaverita, meaning “little skull.” Calaverita can refer to a small candy or gift, while calaveras literarias are humorous Day of the Dead poems. The shared root points back to the central skull imagery of the holiday.