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

plural

mariachis

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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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

“I had the privilege of growing up and seeing amazing mariachi musicians like my father, uncles and grandfather performing at a restaurant on the weekends, during birthday parties and quinceaneras,” said Hernandez.

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

The late Vicente Fernández, the beloved actor and Grammy-winning maestro of the mariachi and ranchera genres, was affectionately known as “El Charro de Huentitán,” after his hometown in Jalisco.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 23, 2026

“They used his publicity photo. The one of him in his mariachi suit. He’s going to hate that!”

From "Summer of the Mariposas" by Guadalupe García McCall