bolero

American  

[buh-lair-oh, boh-] / bəˈlɛər oʊ, boʊ- /

noun

plural

boleros

1. a lively Spanish dance in triple meter.

2. the music for this dance.

3. a jacket ending above or at the waistline, with or without collar, lapel, and sleeves, worn open in front.

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bolero British  

/ bəˈlɛərəʊ /

noun

1. a Spanish dance, often accompanied by the guitar and castanets, usually in triple time

2. a piece of music composed for or in the rhythm of this dance

3. a kind of short jacket not reaching the waist, with or without sleeves and open at the front: worn by men in Spain and by women elsewhere

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Etymology

Origin of bolero

Borrowed into English from Spanish around 1780–90

Example Sentences

Porter originally wrote it as a sultry bolero, but Sinatra and Riddle supercharge it into one of the singer’s most celebrated uptempo showcases.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 30, 2026

The crinoline-skirted kingfisher blue gown and matching bolero jacket the Queen wore for her sister Princess Margaret's wedding in 1960 has an "incredible timeless quality", says de Guitaut.

From BBC • Dec. 26, 2025

The opening namesake track kicks off this new era of “Raúl “ with a simmering bolero colored with jazzy trumpets and tantalizing conga drumming.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 31, 2024

Instead, the Ballet Nacional de España began its program on March 8 with “Invocación Bolera,” a modern evocation of the 18th-century escuela bolero, which is essentially Baroque ballet with Spanish poses and castanets.

From New York Times • Mar. 18, 2024

Cool air finds its way into the fur bolero draped over my shoulders, and I squeeze it tightly closed.

From "The Belles" by Dhonielle Clayton