fandango

American  

[fan-dang-goh] / fænˈdæŋ goʊ /

noun

plural

fandangos

1. a lively Spanish or Spanish American dance in triple time, performed by a man and woman playing castanets.

2. a piece of music for such a dance or one having its rhythm.

3. (especially in the southwest U.S.) a ball or dance.

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fandango British  

/ fænˈdæŋɡəʊ /

noun

1. an old Spanish courtship dance in triple time between a couple who dance closely and provocatively

2. a piece of music composed for or in the rhythm of this dance

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Etymology

Origin of fandango

First recorded in 1765–70; < Spanish, of uncertain origin, perhaps from Portuguese fadango (unattested), from fado fado ( def. )

Explanation

Long before it was a website for buying movie tickets, fandango was (and still is) a seductive Spanish dance for two. You'll want to grab your castanets before you hit the dance floor, because those are required for authenticity as you dance the fandango. A fandango involves a lot of twirling and you'd better be quick, because this triple-time dance is not for dancing novices. Also, it helps to pick someone you're dating or have a crush on, because this is a dance for lovers.

Example Sentences

In January, Robbie told Fandango that when her co-star wasn't close by, "I felt quite lost like a kid without their blanket or something".

From BBC • Feb. 13, 2026

“Usually documentaries play only in two markets — New York and L.A.,” said Shawn Robbins, director of analytics at Fandango and founder of Box Office Theory.

From MarketWatch • Jan. 26, 2026

“Tron: Ares” is available to buy or rent on Prime Video, Fandango at Home, or Apple TV.

From Salon • Dec. 14, 2025

“Women continue to be a really underserved audience,” said Shawn Robbins, director of movie analytics at Fandango and founder of the website Box Office Theory.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 23, 2025

It is at this period that the famous modern Spanish dances, the Bolero, Seguidilla and the Fandango, first appear.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 7, Slice 9 "Dagupan" to "David" by Various