bolero

noun

bo·​le·​ro bə-ˈler-(ˌ)ō 

-ˈle-rō

plural boleros

1

: a Spanish dance characterized by sharp turns, stamping of the feet, and sudden pauses in a position with one arm arched over the head

also : music in ³/₄ time for a bolero

2

: a loose waist-length jacket open at the front

Examples of bolero in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Quijada and Robinson developed the show through work on a concept album presented in 2021, and their music, ranging from hip-hop to Cuban bolero to spirituals, carries the piece along with their own charisma as performers. —Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 8 Oct. 2025

With her new single, Puerto Rican singer-songwriter iLe reaffirms her deep understanding of the mystique contained within the bolero genre, a style rooted in the former Calle 13 member’s sonic DNA. —Tere Aguilera, Billboard, 19 Sep. 2025

Lucrecia Dalt broke out in 2022 with the sci-fi bolero opus ¡Ay! —Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 5 Sep. 2025

Uchis, 31, is equally adept and authoritative whether performing reggaeton or boleros, cumbia or reggae, hip-hop or dance-pop, R&B or electronica. —George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Aug. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Spanish

First Known Use

1787, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for bolero

• bracero
• estero
• herero
• montero
• potrero
• primero
• prospero
• romero
• sombrero
• vaquero
• wheelbarrow
• aero

Kids Definition

bolero

noun

bo·​le·​ro bə-ˈle(ə)r-ō 

plural boleros

1

: a Spanish dance in ¾ time

2

: a waist-length jacket open at the front