flamenco

American  

[flah-meng-koh, fluh-] / flɑˈmɛŋ koʊ, flə- /

noun

flamencos plural

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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Other Word Forms

Inflected Forms

noun

• flamencos
  plural

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

The husband-and-wife team's Flamenco routine earned them their season's best score of 133.23 points, after they already led Friday's rhythm dance section.

From Barron's • Feb. 7, 2026

A former Flamenco dancer shared a tale about her nerve-racking stint working for Morris “Moishe” Levy, a music business executive with reported mob ties.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 10, 2025

The husband-and-wife team created a new series of original illustrations for such coveted accessories as the Puzzle and Pebble bucket bags and the Flamenco and Hammock bags.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 3, 2024

Flamenco — the music and dance — is steeped in history, its origins arising from the mingling of Roma culture with the cultural melting pot of southern Spain.

From New York Times • Mar. 2, 2024

Flamenco dancing had no practical application in the closed society prevailing in the capital back then, but Nicolas ran a discreet announcement in the paper offering his services as a teacher of that fiery art.

From "The House of the Spirits: A Novel" by Isabel Allende