bolero

play

noun bo·le·ro \ bə-ˈler-(ˌ)ō , -ˈle-rō \

Definition of bolero

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

See bolero defined for English-language learners

See bolero defined for kids

Recent Examples of bolero from the Web

LA SANTA CECILIA Style: A colorful cumbia center, with Afro-Cuban, bossa nova, bolero, rancheras, mariachi, jazz, R&B and rock around the edges.

— milwaukee, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "6 top Milwaukee concerts, including La Santa Cecilia and Lil Yachty," 24 Aug. 2017
The immersive play weaves together narratives from the 1960s and ’70s — inside-the-club romances, the Peter Pan airlift, Lincoln Park gentrification — as everything from boleros to salsa underscores the history.

— morgan greene, chicagotribune.com, "Former club regulars of the real Havana Madrid retrace their footsteps in a hair salon," 12 Aug. 2017
His rendition shifts from a bolero with cuatros to a full-on salsa, complete with impassioned improvisations.

— leor galil, Chicago Reader, "Singer-songwriter Micha on an old song for Puerto Rico’s new struggle," 8 Aug. 2017
Aug. 27 Few are as adept as Ozomatli at fusing funk, hip-hop, reggae and rock with such Latin music styles that includes cumbia, merengue, boleros and more.

— george varga, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Star-studded Bayside Summer Nights concerts an opportunity to listen, watch and dance," 1 July 2017
Aug. 27 Few are as adept as Ozomatli at fusing funk, hip-hop, reggae and rock with such Latin music styles that includes cumbia, merengue, boleros and more.

— george varga, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Star-studded Bayside Summer Nights concerts an opportunity to listen, watch and dance," 1 July 2017
La Bruja (Caridad de la Luz), Calma Carmona and Nina Rodríguez, three singers with soulful vocals and theatrical stage presence that would make La Lupe proud, will perform songs from her repertoire of boleros, salsa, son and boogaloo numbers.

— judy cantor-navas, Billboard, "'Queen of Latin Soul' La Lupe to Be Honored With NYC Concert," 30 May 2017
The Cuban native is a Miami nightlife institution known for his classic bolero stylings, lusty laugh and all-night-long enthusiasm.

— judy cantor-navas, Billboard, "Six New Albums (and One Reissue) of Ageless Cuban Music," 26 May 2017
On the radio, guitar trios played boleros, melancholy songs of romance and regret.

— david gonzalez, New York Times, "Living in Fear in the U.S.: Time to Take Her Education and Leave?," 5 Mar. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'bolero.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of bolero

Spanish

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1787

See Words from the same year

Other Dance Terms

attitude, honor, saltatory, sashay, taw

BOLERO Defined for English Language Learners

bolero

play

noun

Definition of bolero for English Language Learners

: a type of Spanish dance; also : the music for this dance
: a short jacket that does not close at the front

Learn More about bolero

Spanish Central: Translation of bolero Nglish: Translation of bolero for Spanish speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about bolero

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bolero

Definition of bolero

Recent Examples of bolero from the Web

Origin and Etymology of bolero

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BOLERO Defined for English Language Learners

bolero

Definition of bolero for English Language Learners

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