Etymology Map
Back to all words

Bolero

2 stages from Spanish to English.

Today it means a Spanish dance in triple time; a short open jacket

Where does the word "bolero" come from? It comes from Spanish bolero, adopted directly into English (1780s).

1
Stage 1 of 2
bolero
Spanish · 1780s
"dance"
a dance said to have been created around 1780 by the dancer Sebastián Cerezo
2
Stage 2 of 2
bolero
English · 1780s
"dance; short jacket"
Ravel's 'Boléro' of 1928 made the rhythm world-famous; the short jacket is named after dancers' costumes
Drag to pan · scroll to zoom
Read the full story

Bolero’s story begins in Spanish: bolero meant “dance.” A dance said to have been created around 1780 by the dancer Sebastián Cerezo. It reached English by 1780s as bolero. Ravel's 'Boléro' of 1928 made the rhythm world-famous; the short jacket is named after dancers' costumes. Today, bolero means a Spanish dance in triple time; a short open jacket.