mariachi

American  

[mahr-ee-ah-chee, mah-ryah-chee] / ˌmɑr iˈɑ tʃi, mɑˈrjɑ tʃi /

adjective

1. relating to a genre of Mexican dance music, characterized by trumpets, guitars, violins, and vocals, usually played by a small band of strolling musicians dressed in traditional costumes.

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noun

• mariachis
  plural

1. a member of a small band of strolling musicians who play a genre of Mexican dance music, characterized by trumpets, guitars, violins, and vocals.

mariachi British  

/ ˌmɑːrɪˈɑːtʃɪ /

noun

1. a small ensemble of street musicians in Mexico

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• mariachis
  plural

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Etymology

Origin of mariachi

First recorded in 1940–45; from Mexican Spanish mariache, mariachi, perhaps from French mariage marriage; the music is said to have been played at weddings in the state of Jalisco, where it originated

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

mariachi mariachis

Emmanuel Banuelos spent weeks planning the perfect proposal, selecting a picturesque spot at a Laguna Beach park, enlisting his soon-to-be sister-in-law as a videographer and booking a mariachi band to play his girlfriend’s favorite music.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 5, 2026

Garcia, who is of Mexican heritage, took considerably longer over his entrance, walking out to mariachi music on Mexican Independence Day weekend.

From BBC ● Sep. 13, 2026

There was a lively atmosphere as a mariachi band entertained the crowd on Mexican Independence Day weekend, before Mexican-American Garcia took to the stage.

From BBC ● Sep. 12, 2026

Then the house DJ blasted two melancholy mariachi classics that had become the unofficial theme songs of Mexico’s World Cup run: “Cielito Lindo” and “El Rey.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 6, 2026

The time you convinced me we should cook tacos and pretend to be mariachi singers for Mom and Dad’s anniversary, since their first date was at a Mexican restaurant.

From "P.S. I Miss You" by Jen Petro-Roy

There will be horseback riders, floats and mariachis, and vendors will serve deep fried cherry burritos and cherry lemonade.

From Los Angeles Times ● May 19, 2026

A squad of female mariachis in blue soon proceeded to walk down the runway, ushering in her ranchera ballad, “Ese Hombre Es Malo.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 13, 2026

City politicians and police officials use the event to mingle with community members, who gather to see performances by high school marching bands, taekwondo students and mariachis.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jan. 28, 2026

Once again, the lineup also will include dozens of high school mariachis, many of whom will hone their skills with the support of Rodriguez’s foundation.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 3, 2023

The photographer arranges their whole group, even the mariachis, and Joaquin stands between Birdie and his sisters and his aunt and his parents, and he thinks of Melissa.

From "Far from the Tree" by Robin Benway

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