tango

1 of 3

noun

tan·​go ˈtaŋ-(ˌ)gō How to pronounce tango (audio)
plural tangos
1
: a ballroom dance of Latin American origin in ²/₄ time with a basic pattern of step-step-step-step-close and characterized by long pauses and stylized body positions
also : the music for this dance
2
: interaction marked by a lack of straightforwardness
the suspect's tango with police

tango

2 of 3

verb

tangoed; tangoing; tangos

intransitive verb

: to dance the tango

Tango

3 of 3

communications code word

used as a code word for the letter t

Examples of tango in a Sentence

Noun The band played a tango. Verb He's trying to learn how to tango.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
There's always something to do in the city's diverse neighborhoods, from tango dancing to wandering the various markets or museums or escaping to nature for a quick day trip to a beach or national park. 7. Kathleen Wong, USA TODAY, 4 Mar. 2025 Amenities: Outdoor swimming pool, multiple restaurants, spa, tango show Editor’s Tip: Book a table at El Cabaret, home to one of the best tango shows in town. Michaela Trimble, Vogue, 12 Jan. 2025
Verb
Miles above the Earth, two bands of fast-moving air – the polar jet stream and the stratospheric polar vortex – sometimes tango together to influence weather in the northern hemisphere. Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA TODAY, 10 Feb. 2025 The only thing that matters in sport is to be the last competitor standing, especially when there are just two to tango. Tim Ellis, Forbes, 14 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for tango

Word History

Etymology

Noun

American Spanish

First Known Use

Noun

1913, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1913, in the meaning defined above

Communications Code Word

1952, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of tango was in 1913

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Tango.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tango. Accessed 20 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

tango

noun
tan·​go
ˈtaŋ-gō
plural tangos
: a ballroom dance of Latin-American origin to music in ²⁄₄ time and marked by pauses between steps and a variety of body postures
also : the music for a tango
tango verb

More from Merriam-Webster on tango

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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