Basque and Iberian Loanwords in English

Basque is the only language of Europe from before the spread of Proto-Indo-European that is still spoken today (outside the Caucasus). The mountainous terrain of northern Spain ensured the survival of the Basque identity despite Celtic, Roman, Visigothic and Arab invaders. The Basque people were skilled fishermen and whalers, as well as early explorers of the New World.
Also, in antiquity, a language we call Iberian was spoken in large parts of western Spain. Little is known of it, but it seems to be related to Basque.
Many placenames in Spain and Latin America, and many Spanish surnames probably have their origins in these two languages, such as García, Sánchez and Jiménez. This is also true for a few words in English. Can you name them?

* Words with an asterisk have disputed or uncertain etymologies.

Quiz by

Rate:

Last updated: November 2, 2025

You have not attempted this quiz yet.

More quiz info >>

First submitted	March 28, 2025
Times taken	44
Average score	46.2%
Report this quiz	Report

Quiz and answer stats >>

Friends stats >>

6:00

Enter answer here

/ 13 guessed

The quiz is paused. You have remaining.

Copied!

Scoring

You scored / = %

This beats or equals % of test takers also scored 100%

The average score is

Your high score is

Your fastest time is

more stats >>

friends stats >>

Keep scrolling down for answers and more stats ...

Hint	Answer
A small fish cured in salt and stored in oil, giving it a strong taste.*	anchovy
The lightest type of wood used commercially, from a tree native to South America. In Spanish, the word means 'raft'.	balsa
A sea that is partially enclosed by land, such as the ... of Biscay or Bengal.	bay
Very strange, extravagant. Possibly from a Basque word for beard.*	bizarre
Another name for the bottle gourd. It is eaten in many cultures but can also be hollowed out and dried to use as bowls, containers or musical instruments.*	calabash
The upper part of a turtle shell, or similar parts of certains crustaceans and insects. May be related to the word above.*	carapace
A slow dance from the baroque period. In classical music, often in the form of theme and variations. The most famous one is probably included in Bach's violin partita in D minor.	chaconne

Hint	Answer
Sauce from Argentina made with parsley, garlic, vinegar and olive oil.	chimichurri
Another word for rabbit or bunny, which lived only in the Iberian peninsula in antiquity. Also the name of an island with amusement parks in the south of Brooklyn.*	cony
The wild ancestor of the goat. There are Iberian and Alpine species among others.*	ibex
Someone aggressively advocating for war. Also with the suffix -ism, which means excessive nationalism. Possibly from the Basque word "jainko" which means 'god'.*	jingo
An outline filled in with black, like a shadow. Named after a Frenchman whose surname was of Basque origin.	silhouette
A building used to store grain or nuclear missiles.*	silo