mariachi

American  

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

Inflected Forms

noun

• mariachis
  plural

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

Example Sentences

Pulido enters the venue singing “Hermoso Cariño” by iconic Mexican mariachi singer Vicente Fernández.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 5, 2026

Most recently, Castro helped release the “mariachi teens,” the teenage-brother mariachi stars who visited the White House last summer and were released from ICE detention just a few days ago.

From Slate • Mar. 20, 2026

Mariachi Reyna de Los Ángeles, founded in South El Monte, rewrote the rules of music, becoming the first all-woman mariachi ensemble that has entertained for more than three decades.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 3, 2026

The grand opening featured mariachi performances and a grocery giveaway and marked a “huge milestone” for Vallarta Supermarkets, spokesperson Lizette Gomez said.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 14, 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