bolero: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal/Contextual
Quick answer
What does “bolero” mean?
A short Spanish jacket, open at the front, or a lively Spanish dance in triple time.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A short Spanish jacket, open at the front, or a lively Spanish dance in triple time.
Also refers to a musical composition written for the bolero dance, or a women's garment inspired by the traditional jacket style. In ballet, may describe choreography influenced by the dance.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in core meanings. Both varieties recognize garment and dance/music senses. The pronunciation differs slightly.
Connotations
In both varieties, primarily carries Spanish/Latin cultural connotations. Fashion contexts may use it to imply a specific, often formal, style.
Frequency
Low frequency in general language, with slightly higher occurrence in UK fashion writing. The dance/music sense is equally rare in both varieties outside specialized contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “bolero” in a Sentence
wear + bolerodance + the + boleroperform + a + bolerocompose + a + boleroVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “bolero” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- She decided to bolero over her dress for the evening.
American English
- She decided to wear a bolero over her dress for the evening.
adverb
British English
- The dancers moved bolero-fast across the floor.
American English
- The dancers moved with bolero-like speed across the floor.
adjective
British English
- The bolero-inspired sleeves were a key feature.
American English
- The bolero-style sleeves were a key feature.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, might appear in fashion retail or event planning.
Academic
Found in musicology, dance history, cultural studies, or fashion history texts.
Everyday
Very rare; most likely encountered in descriptions of clothing or cultural events.
Technical
Used in specific terminology for fashion design, dance choreography, or musical composition.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “bolero”
- Pronouncing it as /'bɒl.ər.əʊ/ (like 'boulder').
- Using it as a generic term for any short jacket.
- Confusing the dance with other Latin dances like the tango or rumba.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, its two primary meanings are a short, open-fronted jacket and a lively Spanish dance (and the music for that dance).
Ravel's 'Boléro' is an orchestral piece composed in the style and rhythm of the Spanish bolero dance, though at a much slower tempo.
No, it is a low-frequency word typically used in specific contexts like fashion, dance, or music.
No, 'bolero' is exclusively a noun in standard English, though creative or fashion writing might occasionally use it attributively (e.g., 'a bolero jacket').
A short Spanish jacket, open at the front, or a lively Spanish dance in triple time.
Bolero is usually formal/contextual in register.
Bolero: in British English it is pronounced /bəˈleər.əʊ/, and in American English it is pronounced /bəˈleɪ.roʊ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None common”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Picture a BOLERO as a BOLD, OPEN jacket you wear to a lively Spanish dance.
Conceptual Metaphor
STYLE IS CULTURAL HERITAGE (the garment/dance evokes Spanish tradition).
Practice
Quiz
What is a 'bolero' primarily NOT associated with?