flamenco

American  

[flah-meng-koh, fluh-] / flɑˈmɛŋ koʊ, flə- /

noun

plural

flamencos

1. a style of dancing, characteristic of the Andalusian Roma, that is strongly rhythmic and involves vigorous actions, as clapping the hands and stamping the feet.

2. a style of instrumental or vocal music originating in southern Spain and typically of an intensely rhythmic, improvisatory character, performed by itself or as an accompaniment to flamenco dancing.

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adjective

1. Also flamencan. of or like the music and dances of the Andalusian Roma.

   flamenco rhythms.

flamenco British  

/ fləˈmɛŋkəʊ /

noun

1. a type of dance music for vocal soloist and guitar, characterized by elaborate melody and sad mood

2. the dance performed to such music

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Etymology

Origin of flamenco

First recorded in 1895–1900; from Spanish flamenco “pertaining to the Andalusian Roma,” literally, Fleming ¹ (in the sense “a native of Flanders”); the sense shift is variously explained

Example Sentences

Scenes on Spanish galleons and Aztec pyramids unfold amid a pulsating beat of rock, pop and flamenco riffs.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 25, 2026

She devoted an entire year to the lyrics alone, singing in 14 languages, over music that sits at the lesser explored intersection of classical, flamenco and avant-pop.

From BBC • Dec. 20, 2025

At Amama's headquarters in the city of Seville, a mosaic promoting self-examinations and leaflets advertising flamenco classes to fight the side effects of chemotherapy welcome breast cancer sufferers.

From Barron's • Nov. 26, 2025

Her 2017 debut album, “Los Ángeles,” was a collection of updated interpretations of traditional flamenco pieces that essentially served as a capstone to her years of study at the Catalonia College of Music.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 11, 2025

Suddenly, she removed her shoes and began stamping on the shells in her bare feet, slowly at first, then faster and faster in a mad flamenco, her arms thrown up in the air.

From "Dreaming in Cuban" by Cristina García