A matador is the main performer in a bullfight, a traditional Spanish spectacle where a person faces a bull in an arena. The matador, dressed in an elaborate costume called a traje de luces (suit of lights), uses a red cape and skilled footwork to direct the bull's charges while crowds watch from stadium seats.

Bullfighting has ancient roots in Spanish culture, though today many people around the world debate whether it should continue, given concerns about animal welfare.

The term sometimes appears in English to describe someone who faces danger with courage and style. If you read that a politician was “like a matador” during a debate, it means they handled tough attacks with grace and confidence, staying calm while opponents came at them with criticism.

Outside the bullring, you might encounter matadors in art and literature: Hemingway wrote about them, and Bizet's opera Carmen features a famous matador character. The image of the matador represents a particular kind of bravery, facing down something powerful and dangerous with skill rather than strength alone.