tango

1 of 3

noun

tan·​go ˈtaŋ-(ˌ)gō How to pronounce tango (audio)
plural tangos
1
: a ballroom dance of Latin American origin in ²/₄ time with a basic pattern of step-step-step-step-close and characterized by long pauses and stylized body positions
also : the music for this dance
2
: interaction marked by a lack of straightforwardness
the suspect's tango with police

tango

2 of 3

verb

tangoed; tangoing; tangos

intransitive verb

: to dance the tango

Tango

3 of 3

communications code word

used as a code word for the letter t

Examples of tango in a Sentence

Noun The band played a tango. Verb He's trying to learn how to tango.
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
The billionaire tango for the world’s richest person continues. Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 5 Mar. 2024 In the series, Lawless stars as Alexa Crowe, a retired detective who investigates suspects ranging from eccentric billionaires and grieving florists to tango dancers and fiery fashionistas. Emiliano De Pablos, Variety, 27 Feb. 2024 If tango dancers and bargain souvenirs hawkers frequented art galleries. Megan Wood, Travel + Leisure, 14 Nov. 2023 Two push buttons are included and can be easily identified when synced with different sound options, of which there are eight to choose from: ding dong, fanfare, good vibes, knocks, Mozart, patriotic, tango, and Westminster. Jenna Clark, Better Homes & Gardens, 23 Feb. 2024 Besides, the last attempt at a CEO transition lasted 33 months, with the Bob Chapek-Bob Iger tango that resulted in Iger returning to his perch in November 2022. Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 7 Feb. 2024 Alyson's tango earned her a 19 from the judges while Jamie Lynn's cha-cha earned her a 16. Calie Schepp, EW.com, 4 Oct. 2023 Come evening, the space transforms into a fiery Latin American experience serving the flavors of Costa Rica, Mexico, Chile, Peru, and Argentina to the rhythms of samba and tango. Robb Report Studio, Robb Report, 12 Feb. 2024 Infused with a South American bohemian essence reminiscent of tango and bolero, the album seamlessly combines traditional tones with a contemporary flair. Isabela Raygoza, Billboard, 1 Dec. 2023
Verb
For now, Citizens Memorial Hospital and other Missouri medical facilities will have to continue to tango with the insurers: Legislation to limit white and brown bagging did not pass during the Missouri General Assembly’s recent session. Samantha Liss, Fortune, 28 June 2023 Demand for brisket is at an all-time high and for every bovine, there are only two to tango. Chuck Blount, San Antonio Express-News, 10 May 2023 Amazon Prime Day 2021 is here and ready to tango. Ashley Barry-Biancuzzo, USA TODAY, 23 June 2021 Dance instructor David DuVal most recently taught samba and tango there on Thursday morning. Anchorage Daily News, 23 Jan. 2023 If writing about music is like dancing about architecture, then interviewing a musician can be like trying to tango with a block of concrete. Andrew Marantz, The New Yorker, 16 May 2022 Some Russians did, however, including fit men who watched from the bar as a relative of the bride — a young woman who sang a touching, traditional Russian song — danced emphatically to tango music. New York Times, 13 May 2022 Kahneman argues for collaboration, but that takes two to tango, and a willingness to learn the steps. Neil Senturia, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Apr. 2022

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'tango.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun

American Spanish

First Known Use

Noun

1913, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1913, in the meaning defined above

Communications Code Word

1952, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of tango was in 1913

Dictionary Entries Near tango

Cite this Entry

“Tango.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tango. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

tango

noun
tan·​go
ˈtaŋ-gō
plural tangos
: a ballroom dance of Latin-American origin to music in ²⁄₄ time and marked by pauses between steps and a variety of body postures
also : the music for a tango
tango verb

More from Merriam-Webster on tango

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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