tarantella

noun

tar·​an·​tel·​la ˌter-ən-ˈte-lə 

ˌta-rən-ˈte-lə

: a lively folk dance of southern Italy in ⁶/₈ time

Examples of tarantella in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

But the tarantism of southern Italy and its ensuing tarantella dance both seem unique. — Laura Kiniry, Popular Science, 10 Nov. 2026

Under the baton of Leonard Slatkin, the evening builds to the lively tarantella finale of Rachmaninoff’s Second Symphony. — Mike Hamersly, Miami Herald, 12 Oct. 2026

Here, the tarantella is by turns gleeful and demonic — a frantic dance of the doomed, whirling through a mist of contemporary clangor. — Justin Davidson, Vulture, 22 Sep. 2025

One display relates the history of the tarantella, a traditional Italian dance that began as a form of musical exorcism to cure wolf spider bites; visitors can practice the steps on a small dance floor with the help of an instructional video. — Emily McClanathan, Chicago Tribune, 11 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Italian, from Taranto, Italy

First Known Use

1782, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for tarantella

• arabella
• bartonella
• bordetella
• cinderella
• citronella
• columella
• isabella
• klebsiella
• legionella
• mozzarella
• pasteurella
• salmonella