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

“Having Karol G invite us to Coachella meant a lot to me because I’m carrying out my family’s legacy of representing mariachi music on a huge stage,” Hernandez said.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 13, 2026

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

Barraza is onstage with a mariachi accompanying his banda.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 15, 2025

The honky-tonk mariachi music was getting on Joe’s nerves.

From "The Milagro Beanfield War" by John Nichols