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
3 of 3communications 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
Jared Ranahan, Forbes, 27 Mar. 2024
The duo will perform classical and Argentine tango music.
—Isha Trivedi, The Mercury News, 26 Mar. 2024
But many, many people still want to plunk down cash to witness unbelievably charming, photogenic actors do the kiss-kiss-bang-bang tango as their faces are projected 20 feet high — especially if one of them is The Ken Who Would Be King.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 13 Mar. 2024
Robert Herjavec and Kym Johnson married in 2016 and have twins
Businessman and Shark Tank star Robert Herjavec and his wife Kym Johnson-Herjavec can literally credit the tango and cha-cha for their love story.
—Kara Nesvig, Peoplemag, 12 Nov. 2023
Maybe the next season Bersten competes on he'll be able to perform his favorite dance, an Argentine tango, or perhaps he'll be paired up with another softball mom.
—Calie Schepp, EW.com, 6 Oct. 2023
There are also specials for Pi Day, a tango festival and a chance to learn about the April 8 solar eclipse.
—Chris Richards, Washington Post, 14 Mar. 2024
The billionaire tango for the world’s richest person continues.
—Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 5 Mar. 2024
In the series, Lawless stars as Alexa Crowe, a retired detective who investigates suspects ranging from eccentric billionaires and grieving florists to tango dancers and fiery fashionistas.
—Emiliano De Pablos, Variety, 27 Feb. 2024
Samantha Liss, Fortune, 28 June 2023
Demand for brisket is at an all-time high and for every bovine, there are only two to tango.
—Chuck Blount, San Antonio Express-News, 10 May 2023
Amazon Prime Day 2021 is here and ready to tango.
—Ashley Barry-Biancuzzo, USA TODAY, 23 June 2021
Dance instructor David DuVal most recently taught samba and tango there on Thursday morning.
—Anchorage Daily News, 23 Jan. 2023
If writing about music is like dancing about architecture, then interviewing a musician can be like trying to tango with a block of concrete.
—Andrew Marantz, The New Yorker, 16 May 2022
Some Russians did, however, including fit men who watched from the bar as a relative of the bride — a young woman who sang a touching, traditional Russian song — danced emphatically to tango music.
—New York Times, 13 May 2022
Kahneman argues for collaboration, but that takes two to tango, and a willingness to learn the steps.
—Neil Senturia, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Apr. 2022
Noun
In addition to a stellar breakfast buffet and world-class dinner menu, Friday nights bring the opportunity to attend the weekly asado, a lively event that pairs top-tier steak with spectacular tango performances—and that’s far from the only activity that’s available for booking across the property.
—Jared Ranahan, Forbes, 27 Mar. 2024
The duo will perform classical and Argentine tango music.
—Isha Trivedi, The Mercury News, 26 Mar. 2024
But many, many people still want to plunk down cash to witness unbelievably charming, photogenic actors do the kiss-kiss-bang-bang tango as their faces are projected 20 feet high — especially if one of them is The Ken Who Would Be King.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 13 Mar. 2024
Robert Herjavec and Kym Johnson married in 2016 and have twins
Businessman and Shark Tank star Robert Herjavec and his wife Kym Johnson-Herjavec can literally credit the tango and cha-cha for their love story.
—Kara Nesvig, Peoplemag, 12 Nov. 2023
Maybe the next season Bersten competes on he'll be able to perform his favorite dance, an Argentine tango, or perhaps he'll be paired up with another softball mom.
—Calie Schepp, EW.com, 6 Oct. 2023
There are also specials for Pi Day, a tango festival and a chance to learn about the April 8 solar eclipse.
—Chris Richards, Washington Post, 14 Mar. 2024
The billionaire tango for the world’s richest person continues.
—Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 5 Mar. 2024
In the series, Lawless stars as Alexa Crowe, a retired detective who investigates suspects ranging from eccentric billionaires and grieving florists to tango dancers and fiery fashionistas.
—Emiliano De Pablos, Variety, 27 Feb. 2024
Verb
For now, Citizens Memorial Hospital and other Missouri medical facilities will have to continue to tango with the insurers: Legislation to limit white and brown bagging did not pass during the Missouri General Assembly’s recent session.
—Samantha Liss, Fortune, 28 June 2023
Demand for brisket is at an all-time high and for every bovine, there are only two to tango.
—Chuck Blount, San Antonio Express-News, 10 May 2023
Amazon Prime Day 2021 is here and ready to tango.
—Ashley Barry-Biancuzzo, USA TODAY, 23 June 2021
Dance instructor David DuVal most recently taught samba and tango there on Thursday morning.
—Anchorage Daily News, 23 Jan. 2023
If writing about music is like dancing about architecture, then interviewing a musician can be like trying to tango with a block of concrete.
—Andrew Marantz, The New Yorker, 16 May 2022
Some Russians did, however, including fit men who watched from the bar as a relative of the bride — a young woman who sang a touching, traditional Russian song — danced emphatically to tango music.
—New York Times, 13 May 2022
Kahneman argues for collaboration, but that takes two to tango, and a willingness to learn the steps.
—Neil Senturia, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Apr. 2022
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'tango.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Dictionary Entries Near tango
Cite this Entry
“Tango.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tango. Accessed 16 Apr. 2024.
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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
More from Merriam-Webster on tango
Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for tango
Nglish: Translation of tango for Spanish Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about tango
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