mariachi

[ mahr-ee-ah-chee; Spanish mah-ryah-chee ]

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.

noun

, plural ma·ri·a·chis [mahr-ee-, ah, -cheez, mah-, ryah, -chees].

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

/ ˌmɑːrɪˈɑːtʃɪ /

noun

1. a small ensemble of street musicians in Mexico

Word History and Origins

Origin of mariachi¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of mariachi¹

C20: from Mexican Spanish

Example Sentences

Backed by an entire mariachi, images of the pair appeared as the son sang the final notes of “No Me Sé Rajar.”

From Los Angeles Times

A youth mariachi band and a baile folklorico troupe performed; a covers band played Chicano favorites such as War and Earth, Wind and Fire.

From Los Angeles Times

For more than a year, Edgar Alejandro left his song “A Tu Lado” in the drafts folder of his phone, unsure of what the public would make of the mariachi and jazz fusion.

From Los Angeles Times

A Garfield High School, says that the Los Angeles Unified School District has helped students improve their Spanish and tap into their roots through K-12 mariachi classes offered in select schools.

From Los Angeles Times

“My style is a blend between the raw aggression of rock ’n’ roll and the disciplined, kind of clean sound of mariachi music.”

From Los Angeles Times