English dictionary, thesaurus, translations & etymology
FreeDict.com
noun

conga

KONG-guh

Conga (noun) means a tall, narrow hand drum of Cuban origin, played with the hands. Example: “The percussionist added rhythm with a set of congas.”

noun
1
A tall, narrow hand drum of Cuban origin, played with the hands.
"The percussionist added rhythm with a set of congas."
2
A Cuban dance in which participants form a line, each holding the person in front, moving with a shuffle-step and a kick.
"By midnight the whole wedding party had joined the conga."
verb
1
To dance in this snaking, single-file line.
"Everyone conga'd out of the hall at the end of the party."

How to use conga

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishEither the drum or the line-dance associated with Cuban carnival music.

Common pairings
conga line play the congas

Word forms

congaed past tense, congas plural, congas singular

Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Flow — saved to your collection.
Test yourself on “conga” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

The percussionist added rhythm with a set of _____.

Etymology

From Spanish (danza) conga, "Congo dance", named for its sub-Saharan African roots.

Origin: Spanish

Rhymes for conga

See all rhymes for conga →

Frequently asked questions

What does “conga” mean?

The word “conga” means a tall, narrow hand drum of Cuban origin, played with the hands. In plain terms, either the drum or the line-dance associated with Cuban carnival music.

How do you pronounce “conga”?

“Conga” is pronounced KONG-guh (/ˈkɑŋɡə/ in IPA).

How do you use “conga” in a sentence?

Here is “conga” used in a sentence: “The percussionist added rhythm with a set of congas.”

What part of speech is “conga”?

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

Where does the word “conga” come from?

The word “conga” comes from Spanish. From Spanish (danza) conga, "Congo dance", named for its sub-Saharan African roots.

How many meanings does “conga” have?

“Conga” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a tall, narrow hand drum of Cuban origin, played with the hands.

Featured in

Definitions: FreeDict original editorial