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
Their collaboration features the Ash bolero top, the Adara skirt, a Dawn bikini top in black and printed colorways, and the Mercy Scorpion bikini bottom in black and also printed.
—
Essence, 20 Nov. 2023
The Riverdale star looked sharp in a black bolero jacket with intricate gold trimming and black slacks to match.
—Angel Saunders, Peoplemag, 28 Oct. 2023
In 2012, he was invited to testify before a parliamentary committee on drug policy, walking the halls in a black tank top and bolero hat.
—Matt Flegenheimer, New York Times, 13 Nov. 2023
Schafer isn’t the only one to wear this collection lately; Miley Cyrus wore a green iteration on the June 2023 cover of British Vogue, and Bella Hadid owns a brown set from the original collection, whose bra and bolero combo is similar to Schafer’s.
—Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 9 Nov. 2023
Other pieces are quite whimsical and don’t fit into the norm with pieces like a navy top with satin sleeves that immerse the hands and a bolero silhouette that would only be able to keep a wearer’s chest covered in the digital world.
—Kerane Marcellus, Essence, 6 Nov. 2023
As the clock ticked closer to midnight, the time the show was set to start, the coliseum filled with the sounds of jazz from Bill Evans and Wes Montgomery, bossa nova from João Gilberto, and boleros from La Lupe.
—Juan J. Arroyo, Rolling Stone, 13 Oct. 2023
That outfit consisted of a creamy white cropped T-shirt and a matching crewneck sweater, with the latter’s hem worn around her neck as if to create a makeshift bolero.
—Chelsey Sanchez, Harper's BAZAAR, 11 Aug. 2023
View full post on Instagram The night before, Lipa posted photos of her birthday eve ensemble: a head-to-toe Gucci look featuring a monogram bra, a sheer red bolero, and bedazzled lavender pants.
—Chelsey Sanchez, Harper's BAZAAR, 23 Aug. 2023
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Essence, 20 Nov. 2023
The Riverdale star looked sharp in a black bolero jacket with intricate gold trimming and black slacks to match.
—Angel Saunders, Peoplemag, 28 Oct. 2023
In 2012, he was invited to testify before a parliamentary committee on drug policy, walking the halls in a black tank top and bolero hat.
—Matt Flegenheimer, New York Times, 13 Nov. 2023
Schafer isn’t the only one to wear this collection lately; Miley Cyrus wore a green iteration on the June 2023 cover of British Vogue, and Bella Hadid owns a brown set from the original collection, whose bra and bolero combo is similar to Schafer’s.
—Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 9 Nov. 2023
Other pieces are quite whimsical and don’t fit into the norm with pieces like a navy top with satin sleeves that immerse the hands and a bolero silhouette that would only be able to keep a wearer’s chest covered in the digital world.
—Kerane Marcellus, Essence, 6 Nov. 2023
As the clock ticked closer to midnight, the time the show was set to start, the coliseum filled with the sounds of jazz from Bill Evans and Wes Montgomery, bossa nova from João Gilberto, and boleros from La Lupe.
—Juan J. Arroyo, Rolling Stone, 13 Oct. 2023
That outfit consisted of a creamy white cropped T-shirt and a matching crewneck sweater, with the latter’s hem worn around her neck as if to create a makeshift bolero.
—Chelsey Sanchez, Harper's BAZAAR, 11 Aug. 2023
View full post on Instagram The night before, Lipa posted photos of her birthday eve ensemble: a head-to-toe Gucci look featuring a monogram bra, a sheer red bolero, and bedazzled lavender pants.
—Chelsey Sanchez, Harper's BAZAAR, 23 Aug. 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'bolero.' 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
Spanish
First Known Use
1787, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Dictionary Entries Near bolero
Cite this Entry
“Bolero.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bolero. Accessed 7 Dec. 2023.
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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
More from Merriam-Webster on bolero
Nglish: Translation of bolero for Spanish Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about bolero
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