flamenco

noun

fla·​men·​co flə-ˈmeŋ-(ˌ)kō 

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

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