tango

1 of 3

noun

tan·​go ˈtaŋ-(ˌ)gō How to pronounce tango (audio)
plural tangos
Synonyms of tangonext
1
: a ballroom dance of Latin American origin in ²/₄ time with a basic pattern of step-step-step-step-close and characterized by long pauses and stylized body positions
also : the music for this dance
2
: interaction marked by a lack of straightforwardness
the suspect's tango with police

tango

2 of 3

verb

tangoed; tangoing; tangos

intransitive verb

: to dance the tango

Tango

3 of 3

communications code word

—used as a code word for the letter t

Examples of tango in a Sentence

Noun The band played a tango. Verb He's trying to learn how to tango.
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.
Noun
But if the Cowboys don’t find a tango partner, drafting Parker makes some sense. — Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 Mar. 2026 Swift, who is light on her feet, especially always loves the tango and the samba, Salgado said. — Pamela McLoughlin, Hartford Courant, 4 May 2026
Verb
Natalia teaches him how to tango. — Ilya Kaminsky august 20, Literary Hub, 20 Aug. 2025 The music has a tempo of a tango − like these guys should be tangoing, right? — Brian Truitt, USA Today, 25 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for tango

Word History

Etymology

Noun

American Spanish

First Known Use

Noun

1913, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1913, in the meaning defined above

Communications Code Word

1952, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of tango was in 1913

Rhymes for tango

See All Rhymes for tango

Browse Nearby Words

tangly
tango
Tango
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Tango.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tango. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

tango

noun
tan·​go
ˈtaŋ-gō
plural tangos
: a ballroom dance of Latin-American origin to music in ²⁄₄ time and marked by pauses between steps and a variety of body postures
also : the music for a tango
tango verb

More from Merriam-Webster on tango

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for tango

Nglish: Translation of tango for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about tango

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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