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

The Tango Room Dance Center opened in 2004 in Sherman Oaks, the first studio in Southern California dedicated to teaching the art and culture of Argentine tango. —Staff Report, Daily News, 21 Mar. 2026

In one sequence, a solemn Gregorian chant pivots to a tango as Grace and Rocky’s ships connect airlock-to-airlock in spinning orbit. —Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 18 Mar. 2026

Verb

Eliminating even more discomfort by only having one cord to tango with is a win for me. —Carin Ryan, Travel + Leisure, 3 Mar. 2026

Debicki's character brings up the events of the first movie, wherein Cliff and Leonardo DiCaprio's Rick Dalton — the Hollywood actor Cliff doubled for on screen — tangoed with the Manson Family. —Nick Romano, Entertainment Weekly, 8 Feb. 2026

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

Rhymes for tango

• mango
• chenango
• shenango

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