despegar

to take off

verb des-peh-GAHR Rare

Also means

to unstick, to peel off

Usage Note

Despegar covers both literal flight ('the plane takes off') and peeling something apart ('unstick a label'). The reflexive despegarse means to become unstuck or, figuratively, to detach emotionally from someone. Despegue (m) is the noun ('takeoff'), a useful companion word for learners.

Examples

"El avión despegó a las ocho en punto."

Natural Translation

The plane took off at eight o'clock sharp.

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