castanets
Britishplural noun
Etymology
Origin of castanets
C17 castanet, from Spanish castañeta, diminutive of castaña chestnut
Explanation
Castanets are a Spanish percussion instrument. Castanets are clicked together in rhythm with music and dance. This plural noun is the name of a percussion instrument consisting of round pieces of shell, wood, or bone held in the fingers. Castanets were originally made from chestnuts and get their name from the Spanish diminutive for chestnut. Like drums, shakers, and other percussion instruments, castanets help create the rhythm in a piece of music. Castanets tend to be part of rhythmically lively music that makes people want to dance. Castanets are also called bones, clappers, and finger cymbals.
Vocabulary lists containing castanets
Music to My Ears: Instrumental Vocab
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Bob Dylan Wins Nobel Prize in Literature
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
2015 Spelling Bee - Words from Round 2
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
All castanets and flamenco skirts, this is a big, ballsy cabaret number about love driving you crazy.
From BBC ● Apr. 5, 2023
Jokes aside, those early experiences of singing, dancing and playing guitar and castanets were formative.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 7, 2022
During her final years, Hayworth pursued her passions for oil painting, playing the castanets and golfing.
From Fox News ● Jun. 13, 2021
There’s a percussion number with stirrers and glasses, and tongs used as castanets.
From New York Times ● Dec. 20, 2018
Taylor clicked her fingers like castanets and the others followed till it sounded like Cinco de Mayo night at the senior home.
From "Beauty Queens" by Libba Bray
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
