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

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

From Los Angeles Times

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

From Los Angeles Times

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.”

From Los Angeles Times

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

From Los Angeles Times

With Doug Sahm, Augie Meyers and fellow Tejano chingón Freddy Fender, Jiménez formed the Texas Tornadoes, whose oeuvre blasts at every third-rate barbecue joint from the Texas Hill Country to Southern California.

From Los Angeles Times