bachata

American  

[bah-chah-tah] / bɑˈtʃɑ tɑ /

noun

1. a contemporary genre of Latin American popular music, in the style of a ballad, featuring guitars, percussion, and singing.

   On Thursdays, they have a band that plays nothing but bachata.

2. a song performed in the musical style of bachata.

   The lyrics to this bachata are from a traditional hymn.

3. a partnered dance of Dominican origin, performed to the music of bachata, traditionally danced in eight-count box steps with a sequence of three steps and a tap, with modern variations that include steps from other Latin ballroom dances.

   Part of the ballroom competition is a six-minute bachata.

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Etymology

Origin of bachata

First recorded in 1955–60; from Caribbean Spanish; origin uncertain

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Explanation

Bachata is a rhythmic style of music that originated in the Dominican Republic. Its signature sound is driven by melodic guitar and sharp percussion, featuring bongos and a handheld metal scraper known as a güira. Bachata is derived from Caribbean Spanish, and the word itself literally means "a party" or "a good time." This musical genre is inseparable from its dance counterpart; the term describes the music genre, a song in the genre, and the dance performed to the music. Dating back to the 1950s, bachata evolved from a localized folk tradition into a global phenomenon in the 1990s.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

bachata

Goldstein started collaborating with Rosalía on her third project, Motomami, which showed she could also make radio-friendly Spanish-language pop: “La Fama” nodded to the Dominican style of bachata; “Saoko” to kinetic reggaeton.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 19, 2026

"When you put music on for him he won't stop singing -- bachata, rock 'n' roll, anything noisy."

From Barron's ● Jul. 27, 2026

This tension plays out in the storyline of Frendy, a magnetic student of Haitian descent who uses bachata to fit in.

From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 25, 2026

Niche genres like salsa, bachata, rock and electronica stayed relevant by basking in the beauty of their roots.

From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 31, 2024

Then things get real quiet even though the beat coming from the music in the store switches from mellow bachata to earsplitting salsa.

From "Like Vanessa" by Tami Charles

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