merengue

American  

[muh-reng-gey] / məˈrɛŋ geɪ /

noun

1. a ballroom dance of Dominican and Haitian origin, characterized by a stiff-legged, limping step.

2. the music for this dance.

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verb (used without object)

merengued, merenguing

1. to dance the merengue.

merengue British  

/ məˈrɛŋɡeɪ /

noun

1. a type of lively dance music originating in the Dominican Republic, which combines African and Spanish elements

2. a Caribbean dance in duple time with syncopated rhythm performed to such music

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Etymology

Origin of merengue

First recorded in 1880–90; from Latin American Spanish merengue, meringue, and probably a special use of Spanish merengue meringue ( def. ), but the semantic development is unclear

Example Sentences

Colombian star Karol G won won song of the year for Si Antes Te Hubiera Conocido, a lilting love song with a Merengue flavour, from her blockbuster fifth album Tropicoqueta.

From BBC

The roof of the Jet Set club in the capital Santo Domingo caved in early on April 8, during a concert by merengue star Rubby Perez.

From Barron's

It’s a genre that emerged from people combining hip-hop, dancehall reggae and all manner of Latin American genres, like salsa and merengue.

From Salon

There’s no merengue in English because there’s no need for merengue in English.

From Los Angeles Times

There’s salsa, merengue, South American folk, and “Dolce,” a gorgeous corrido tumbado about that infamous red dress that went viral.

From Los Angeles Times