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 notesIn plain EnglishEither the drum or the line-dance associated with Cuban carnival music.
Common pairings
conga line
play the congas
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Word forms
- Plural
- congas
- Third person singular
- congas
- Past tense
- congaed
Fill the gap
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The percussionist added rhythm with a set of _____.
Etymology
From Spanish (danza) conga, "Congo dance", named for its sub-Saharan African roots.
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.
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