noun

calypso

kuh-LIHP-soh

Calypso (noun) means a style of upbeat, rhythmic music that originated in Trinidad and spread through the Caribbean. Example: “A steel band played calypso on the beach all afternoon.”

noun

A style of upbeat, rhythmic music that originated in Trinidad and spread through the Caribbean.

"A steel band played calypso on the beach all afternoon."

A song written in this musical style.

"He wrote a calypso about the island's independence."

verb

To sing or perform in the calypso style.

How to use calypso

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA lively Caribbean musical style, often with witty or topical lyrics.

Common pairings

calypso music calypso band calypso singer

Word forms

calypsoed past tense, calypsos plural, calypsoes plural, calypsos plural, calypsoes plural, calypsos singular

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A steel band played _____ on the beach all afternoon.

Etymology

From Trinidadian English, likely from the word "kaiso," possibly of West African origin; the spelling later merged with the name of the mythological nymph Calypso.

Synonyms

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fairy-slipper

Frequently asked questions

What does “calypso” mean?

The word “calypso” means a style of upbeat, rhythmic music that originated in Trinidad and spread through the Caribbean. In plain terms, a lively Caribbean musical style, often with witty or topical lyrics.

How do you pronounce “calypso”?

“Calypso” is pronounced kuh-LIHP-soh (/kəˈlɪp.soʊ/ in IPA).

How do you use “calypso” in a sentence?

Here is “calypso” used in a sentence: “A steel band played calypso on the beach all afternoon.”

What part of speech is “calypso”?

Depending on how it is used, “calypso” can be a noun and a verb.

How many meanings does “calypso” have?

“Calypso” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a style of upbeat, rhythmic music that originated in Trinidad and spread through the Caribbean.