mariachi

noun

ma·​ri·​a·​chi ˌmär-ē-ˈä-chē 

ˌmer-

1

: a small, strolling, Mexican band consisting usually of trumpeters, guitarists, and violinists

also : a musician belonging to such a band

—often used before another noun

mariachi music

2

: the music performed by a mariachi

Examples of mariachi in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Martin is interested in a variety of different art forms and genres of instrumental music; whether that is marching band, wind band, or mariachi. —Heide Janssen, Oc Register, 15 Mar. 2026

His award-winning mariachi band, which included his brother Caleb, 14, performed on Capitol Hill in June at her invitation. —Suzanne Gamboa, NBC news, 9 Mar. 2026

Mariachi Reyna de Los Ángeles, founded in South El Monte, rewrote the rules of music, becoming the first all-woman mariachi ensemble that has entertained for more than three decades. —Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 4 Mar. 2026

Ana Yadira Sanchez-Rangel, 21, steps onto the floor wearing a mariachi outfit representing Guadalajara, Jalisco, a city in Mexico tied to her family’s roots. —David Rodriguez Muñoz, Freep.com, 28 Feb. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Mexican Spanish, perhaps modification of French mariage marriage

First Known Use

1923, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for mariachi

• carapace
• gonococci
• streptococci
• enterococci
• staphylococci