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noun

bolero

buh-LEH-roh
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Bolero (noun) means a lively Spanish dance, or the slower, related Cuban dance style. Example: “The couple performed a passionate bolero at the competition.”

noun
1
A lively Spanish dance, or the slower, related Cuban dance style.
"The couple performed a passionate bolero at the competition."
2
A short, open-fronted jacket that stops at the waist or diaphragm.
"He took the bolero, which was made of soft angora, and rubbed it up and down his cheek." — Jennifer Worth, Farewell to the East End (2009)
"She wore a lace bolero over her wedding dress."

How to use bolero

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishEither a Spanish/Cuban dance style, or a short cropped jacket worn open at the front.

Common pairings
bolero jacket dance a bolero
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Word forms

Plural
boleros
Third person singular
boleros
Past tense
boleroed
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Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

The couple performed a passionate _____ at the competition.

Etymology

From Spanish bolero, related to bola ("ball"), originally describing the dance.

Origin: Spanish

Rhymes for bolero

See all rhymes for bolero →

Frequently asked questions

What does “bolero” mean?
The word “bolero” means a lively Spanish dance, or the slower, related Cuban dance style. In plain terms, either a Spanish/Cuban dance style, or a short cropped jacket worn open at the front.
How do you pronounce “bolero”?
“Bolero” is pronounced buh-LEH-roh (/bəˈlɛɹoʊ/ in IPA).
How do you use “bolero” in a sentence?
Here is “bolero” used in a sentence: “The couple performed a passionate bolero at the competition.”
What part of speech is “bolero”?
“Bolero” is a noun.
Where does the word “bolero” come from?
The word “bolero” comes from Spanish. From Spanish bolero, related to bola ("ball"), originally describing the dance.
How many meanings does “bolero” have?
“Bolero” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a lively Spanish dance, or the slower, related Cuban dance style.

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