flamenco

noun

fla·​men·​co flə-ˈmeŋ-(ˌ)kō How to pronounce flamenco (audio)
plural flamencos
1
: a vigorous rhythmic dance style of the Andalusian Gypsies
also : a dance in flamenco style
2
: music or song suitable to accompany a flamenco dance

Did you know?

The Spanish word flamenco means “Flemish,” and its later usage in the sense “Gypsy-like,” especially in reference to a song, dance, and guitar-music style, has inspired a number of hypotheses about why the word flamenco came to be associated with Gypsies; however, all of these theories seem implausible. Perhaps more promisingly, in the later 19th century flamenco also meant “jaunty, cocky” and, in reference to women, “provocatively attractive,” The suggestion has been made that “Gypsylike” is a secondary development from these senses. The ordinary Spanish word for “Gypsy” is gitano, which like the English Gypsy, is altered from a word meaning “Egyptian.”

Examples of flamenco in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Other sections feature a traditional flamenco ensemble. The New Yorker, 18 Oct. 2024 The state hosts the world’s largest flamenco festival outside Spain, Festival Flamenco, every June in Albuquerque. Lanee Lee, Forbes, 30 Sep. 2024 Ralphie, signed to Rusia-IDK (who recently announced a joint venture with Warner Music), is best known for his unique production of flamenco, R&B, hip-hop and reggaeton. Thania Garcia, Variety, 24 Sep. 2024 Here, you can be mesmerized by flamenco dancers, let your hair down to samba at a fiesta, admire jaw-dropping aerial acts or sway to ’70s jazz, all while enjoying a sumptuous dinner at the city’s finest restaurants alongside views of the Burj Khalifa. Natasha Amar, Forbes, 13 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for flamenco 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'flamenco.' 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, from flamenco of the Gypsies, literally, Flemish, from Middle Dutch Vlaminc Fleming

First Known Use

1896, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of flamenco was in 1896

Dictionary Entries Near flamenco

Cite this Entry

“Flamenco.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/flamenco. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

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