flamenco

[ flah-meng-koh, fluh- ]

noun

, plural fla·men·cos.

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.

adjective

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

   flamenco rhythms.

flamenco

/ 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

Word History and Origins

Origin of flamenco¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of flamenco¹

from Spanish: like a gipsy, literally: Fleming, from Middle Dutch Vlaminc Fleming

Example Sentences

The tea house, which stays open until 11 some nights, hosts an array of connection-driven gatherings, including jazz evenings, breathwork sessions, flamenco performances and workshops.

From Los Angeles Times

Others visit as part of occasional special events, such as a flamenco dance presentation that took place on the grounds last month during Santa Barbara’s Old Spanish Days Fiesta.

From Los Angeles Times

A series of gorgeous surreal hallucinations include projected video flashbacks, descending carousel horses and black flamenco dancers emerging from shadows and furniture as Quichotte recalled Dulcinea, a nightclub chanteuse with a retro microphone.

From Seattle Times

Its Foreign Minister, Israel Katz, has posted a video on social media showing flamenco dancing and music juxtaposed with explicit images of the 7 October attack, with the words: “Hamas: thank you Spain.”

From BBC

The song, performed as a duet with the Pakistani singer Shae Gill, defies such simple classifications — it’s a pop banger sung in Urdu and Punjabi, punctuated with flamenco handclaps and driven by a reggaeton beat.

From New York Times