Tex-Mex

American  

[teks-meks] / ˈtɛksˈmɛks /

adjective

1. of or relating to aspects of culture that combine Mexican and Texan or southwestern U.S. features, especially aspects of culture developed in southern Texas based on or influenced by Mexican elements.

   Tex-Mex cooking; Tex-Mex music.

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noun

1. a form of Mexican Spanish having elements of English and spoken near the border of Texas and Mexico, especially Mexican Spanish as spoken in Texas.

2. Music. norteño.

Tex-Mex British  

/ ˈtɛksˌmɛks /

adjective

1. of, relating to, or denoting the Texan version of something Mexican, such as music, food, or language

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Etymology

Origin of Tex-Mex

An Americanism dating back to 1945–50; by shortening

Example Sentences

Breakfast tacos, a Tex-Mex delicacy, anchor the morning hours while salsa-brightened al pastor tacos, burritos and quesadillas are all-day favorites.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 6, 2026

Chips and a cup of Tex-Mex style queso as a snack, and a cardamon-spiked mandarin agua fresca to wash down everything.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 19, 2026

Add a crisp cabbage slaw next to your Tex-Mex skillet; a sharp arugula salad with your skillet arancini.

From Salon • Sep. 23, 2025

Ms Lopez-Galvan hosted Taste of Tejano, a Tex-Mex music show, on community radio station KKFI.

From BBC • Feb. 16, 2024

Oklahoma Tex-Mex is some of the best food in the world, but the poops are soupy.

From "Everything Sad Is Untrue" by Daniel Nayeri