Word
mariachi
Phoneticsmari·achi
US/ˌmɑɹiˈɑtʃi/
UK/mˌæɹɪˈætʃi/
Definitions
01the musical style
n. a traditional style of Mexican music that usually features guitars, violins, and trumpets.
n. a genre of traditional Mexican music characterized by specific instrumentation, including violins, guitars, and trumpets.
“The restaurant played lively mariachi to entertain the guests during dinner.”
“Ethnomusicologists study mariachi as a vital expression of Mexican cultural identity, noting its evolution from rural folk roots to a national symbol.”
02the band or group
n. a group of musicians who play mariachi music, often wearing traditional decorated suits.
n. a musical ensemble that performs mariachi music, typically consisting of at least three musicians.
“We hired a mariachi to play at my sister's wedding reception.”
“The mariachi arrived in full charro costume, their silver-studded trousers catching the light as they began the first song.”
03an individual musician
n. a person who plays in a mariachi band.
n. an individual performer within a mariachi ensemble.
“The young mariachi practiced his trumpet every day to join his father's band.”
“Each mariachi in the group must be a versatile performer, often alternating between singing and playing their instrument.”
04relating to the music
adj. describing something related to this style of Mexican music or the people who play it.
adj. pertaining to the traditional Mexican musical genre or its associated performers.
“She loves the sound of mariachi guitars during the festival.”
“The documentary explores the history of mariachi culture and its influence on modern Latin American pop music.”
Real-World Examples
“It can also mean spending time in the company of others—say, listening to this costumed mariachi band playing stringed instruments and trumpets at the Guadalajara Cathedral in Mexico.” Etymology
Borrowed from Mexican Spanish mariachi. The origin of the Spanish word is unclear. It has often been claimed to derive from French mariage (“marriage”), reputedly because the Europe-born Emperor Maximilian of Mexico (which France had invaded) encouraged the music to be played at weddings. However, new evidence shows the word to have been used prior to the French invasion. Most other theories suggest indigenous roots. See Wikipedia.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Scan code
englishreference.com/q/mariachi