flamenco

American  

[flah-meng-koh, fluh-] / flɑˈmɛŋ koʊ, flə- /

noun

plural

flamencos

1. a style of dancing, characteristic of the Andalusian Roma, that is strongly rhythmic and involves vigorous actions, as clapping the hands and stamping the feet.

2. a style of instrumental or vocal music originating in southern Spain and typically of an intensely rhythmic, improvisatory character, performed by itself or as an accompaniment to flamenco dancing.

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adjective

1. Also flamencan. of or like the music and dances of the Andalusian Roma.

   flamenco rhythms.

flamenco British  

/ fləˈmɛŋkəʊ /

noun

1. a type of dance music for vocal soloist and guitar, characterized by elaborate melody and sad mood

2. the dance performed to such music

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Etymology

Origin of flamenco

First recorded in 1895–1900; from Spanish flamenco “pertaining to the Andalusian Roma,” literally, Fleming ¹ (in the sense “a native of Flanders”); the sense shift is variously explained

Example Sentences

He became one of the most convincing early proponents of the world music movement, readily fitting in tabla with flamenco as well as with African, Indonesian , Afro-Cuban, you-name-it drumming.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 12, 2025

On her 2018 album, “El Mal Querer,” Rosalía—she performs under her first name—fused flamenco forms with electronic pop inspired by various urbano styles from the Latin American streets.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 11, 2025

In ice dance, reigning world champions Madison Chock and Evan Bates capitalised on their four-point lead, debuting an intense flamenco to a version of "Paint It Black".

From Barron's • Oct. 25, 2025

The number was rooted in centuries-old Spanish flamenco music that had spread in all directions, becoming a classical music melody and a Hollywood soundtrack go-to by the 1950s.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 2, 2025

The padded door banged open and a young boy clicked into the bar, scraping the metal taps on his flamenco boots across the floor.

From "A Confederacy of Dunces" by John Kennedy Toole