: a form of French West Indian music blending African rhythms, reggae, calypso, and electronic dance music

Examples of zouk in a Sentence

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.
My father was the saxophonist of Kassav’, a big zouk group from the French Caribbean. Kyle Denis, Billboard, 27 Feb. 2025 Infectious zouk and soca music fill the air, and the energy of the Nèg Gwo Siwo — revelers who coat themselves in cane sugar molasses and charcoal as a commemoration of enslaved people and their spirit of rebellion — is powerful to witness. Kristin Braswell, Travel + Leisure, 25 June 2024

Word History

Etymology

Lesser Antillean French Creole, literally, dance party, dance, probably alteration of mazouk French Caribbean ballroom and club dance of the earlier 20th century, alteration of French mazurka mazurka

First Known Use

1986, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of zouk was in 1986

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Cite this Entry

“Zouk.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/zouk. Accessed 21 Apr. 2025.

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