tango

1 of 3

noun

tan·​go ˈtaŋ-(ˌ)gō 

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

Informed equally by Dylan, Carl Perkins, and the nocturnal shades of tango, Moris fixes his existential gaze on the homeless beggars of Buenos Aires’ industrial areas and the working class men of his generation, entrapped by societal pressures. —Ernesto Lechner, SPIN, 16 Apr. 2024

The program will include melodies of the tango composed by Astor Piazzolla and Andrés Martín. —The San Diego Union-Tribune Staff, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Mar. 2024

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

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