merengue

[ muh-reng-gey ]

noun

1. a ballroom dance of Dominican and Haitian origin, characterized by a stiff-legged, limping step.
2. the music for this dance.

verb (used without object)

, me·ren·gued, me·ren·gu·ing.

1. to dance the merengue.

merengue

/ məˈrɛŋɡeɪ /

noun

1. a type of lively dance music originating in the Dominican Republic, which combines African and Spanish elements
2. a Caribbean dance in duple time with syncopated rhythm performed to such music

Word History and Origins

Origin of merengue¹

First recorded in 1880–90; from Latin American Spanish merengue, meringue, and probably a special use of Spanish merengue meringue ( def ), but the semantic development is unclear

Word History and Origins

Origin of merengue¹

from American Spanish and Haitian Creole

Example Sentences

Juan Luis Guerra’s “Mambo 23” was awarded record of the year, and his album “Radio Güira” was awarded album of the year and best merengue/bachata album — making him a 27-time Latin Grammy winner.

From Los Angeles Times

The smooth Hernández begins dancing merengue in his chair and pretends to bat like a Dominican baseball player, swinging his hips.

From Salon

“It was a genre-less playlist from salsa, merengue, rancheras, pop/rock en español, to hip-hop, R&B and pop music.”

From Los Angeles Times

She lists a few genres off the top of her head: “reggaeton, salsa, merengue, cumbia and dembow.”

From Los Angeles Times

She grew up around around salsa, merengue and pop in Puerto Rico, where her father was a percussionist and band leader.

From Los Angeles Times