mariachi

noun

ma·​ri·​a·​chi ˌmär-ē-ˈä-chē 

ˌmer-

1

: a small, strolling, Mexican band consisting usually of trumpeters, guitarists, and violinists

also : a musician belonging to such a band

—often used before another noun

2

: the music performed by a mariachi

Examples of mariachi in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Both tequila and mariachi bands originate from the Guadalajara region of Mexico. —Ingrid Schmidt, The Hollywood Reporter, 2 July 2024

The opportunity to perform in a production steeped in Mexican tradition — featuring mariachi, banda and norteño music, horses, bulls, traditional wide-brimmed sombreos and lavish charro outfits — with her family legacy attached to it is something that Ángela doesn’t take for granted. —Kayla Keegan, Peoplemag, 28 June 2024

The song plays as guests in boats pass among 240 dolls of many nations with identical faces — tiny can-can and folk dancers, mermaids and mariachi bands — plus Big Ben, the Taj Mahal and grinning farm animals. —Anita Gates, New York Times, 26 May 2024

But nothing beats the tradition of hiring mariachi bands or trios to serenade moms — sometimes early enough in the morning to wake them up! —Mary Cunningham, CBS News, 12 May 2024

Word History

Etymology

Mexican Spanish, perhaps modification of French mariage marriage

First Known Use

1923, in the meaning defined at sense 1