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

With its Baroque-flavored organ solo and mysterious opening line - "We skipped the light fandango, turned cartwheels cross the floor" — the song became one of the signature tunes of the 1967 "Summer of Love."

From Fox News • Feb. 23, 2022

With its Baroque-flavored organ solo and mysterious opening line – “We skipped the light fandango, turned cartwheels cross the floor” — the song became one of the signature tunes of the 1967 “Summer of Love.”

From Seattle Times • Feb. 23, 2022

There were romances and the early, original forms of all those Spanish dances that went on to pervade Europe and the world at large, such as the fandango and seguidilla.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 3, 2020

And he is agitated about that, judging by his fandango of self-pitying tweets.

From New York Times • Dec. 14, 2019

Here’s M’Whirter’s horse performing a fandango, which is far more curious than agreeable.”

From Tales from "Blackwood," Volume 2 by Various