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

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

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

After the acclaim for her breakthrough album, El Mal Querer, which fused flamenco with R&B rhythms, and her genre-defying follow-up, Motomami, Rosalia offers an orchestral meditation on faith and femininity.

From Barron's • Nov. 7, 2025

The flamenco dancing, choreographed by Antonio Najarro, is exciting and the dancing terrific.

From Los Angeles Times • May 9, 2025

Party dresses have come back, bows and flamenco ruffles, straplessness and crinolines, puffed sleeves like cloth marshmallows: everything I thought was left behind forever.

From "Cat's Eye" by Margaret Atwood