fandango

[ fan-dang-goh ]

noun

, plural fan·dan·gos.

1. a lively Spanish or Spanish American dance in triple time, performed by a man and woman playing castanets.
2. a piece of music for such a dance or one having its rhythm.
3. (especially in the southwest U.S.) a ball or dance.

fandango

/ fænˈdæŋɡəʊ /

noun

1. an old Spanish courtship dance in triple time between a couple who dance closely and provocatively
2. a piece of music composed for or in the rhythm of this dance

Word History and Origins

Origin of fandango¹

First recorded in 1765–70; < Spanish, of uncertain origin, perhaps from Portuguese fadango (unattested), from fado fado ( def )

Word History and Origins

Origin of fandango¹

C18: from Spanish, of uncertain origin

Example Sentences

For example, a draft of the operatic section of the song features the “Galileo,” “Bismillah,” “fandango” and “thunderbolt and lightning” that remain in the final lyrics of “Bohemian Rhapsody.”

From Washington Times

Another page looks like a word cloud, with Mercury scrawling dozens of words and phrases including “fandango,” “thunderbolts and lighting” and “belladonna.”

From New York Times

With its Baroque-flavored organ solo and mysterious opening line - "We skipped the light fandango, turned cartwheels cross the floor" — the song became one of the signature tunes of the 1967 "Summer of Love."

From Fox News

With its Baroque-flavored organ solo and mysterious opening line – “We skipped the light fandango, turned cartwheels cross the floor” — the song became one of the signature tunes of the 1967 “Summer of Love.”

From Seattle Times

Her family would attend fandangos, jam sessions central to son jarocho, or they’d gather around the table and sing traditional Mexican or Venezuelan folk songs.

From New York Times