Tejano

[tey-hah-noh, tuh‑]

noun

1. a Texas native or resident of Mexican or Mexican American birth or descent.

   The author’s newest short stories focus on a network of relationships between Tejanos and Anglos in a fictional Texas town.

2. (often lowercase),  a style of Mexican American popular music that features the accordion and blends the polka with various forms of traditional Mexican music, now often including synthesizers and rock music.

Word History and Origins

Origin of Tejano¹

From Spanish (Mexico, Texas): literally, “Texan,” from Tejas Texas ( def. ) + masculine adjective suffix -ano ( -an ( def. ) ); Tejano def. 1 was first recorded in 1925–30; Tejano def. 2 was first recorded in 1975–80

Example Sentences

Other artists slated to take the stage at the show’s 26th iteration includes: 22-time Latin Grammy winner Alejandro Sanz; the Argentine singer Nathy Peluso; prolific songwriter-producer Édgar Barrera; Tejano band Grupo Frontera; former best new artist winner Joaquina and Venezuelan singer-songwriter Elena Rose.

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Many of their faces, painted a ghostly white, were framed by embroidered Tejano hats — and one massive mariachi sombrero.

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Colombian singer Ryan Castro gets in his feels with his new joint single, “Apodo,” alongside Tejano band Grupo Frontera.

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But the one I’m most fascinated with is your work with Tejano singer Bobby Pulido, with whom you recorded the song “Separarnos” for your 2022 album “Buen Pez.”

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Tejano and conjunto music legend Flaco Jiménez has died at age 86.

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