Macarena

See also: macarena

English

Alternative forms

macarena

Etymology

From the Spanish female given name Macarena, which is the title of a well-known song from 1993 by Spanish duo Los del Río.

Pronunciation

(Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /ˌmækəˈɹaɪnə/, enPR: măʹkərī'nə
- Audio (UK) (file)
(General American) IPA^(key): /ˌmɑkəˈɹeɪnə/, enPR: mäʹkərā'nə
Hyphenation: Ma‧ca‧re‧na, Ma‧ca‧rena

Noun

Macarena (plural Macarenas)

(often preceded by definite article) A particular line dance with a set of simple arm movements and exaggerated hip motion performed to a fast Latin rhythm.
- 2000 January 15, Peter Sagal, “Wait, Wait...Don't Tell Me!”, in National Public Radio:
  Oh yeah, they were doing the Macarena up and down Saint Peter’s back in twelve ninety-two.

References

“Macarena”, in OED Online ⁠, Oxford, Oxfordshire: Oxford University Press, 2006.
“Macarena”, in Lexico, Dictionary.com; Oxford University Press, 2019–2022.

Anagrams

Camarena

Spanish

Etymology

It is disputed whether it comes from Ancient Greek μακάριος (makários, “blessed, happy”), or from the homonymous neighborhood in Seville, from Arabic [Term?].

Pronunciation

IPA^(key): /makaˈɾena/ [ma.kaˈɾe.na]
Rhymes: -ena
Syllabification: Ma‧ca‧re‧na

Proper noun

Macarena f

a female given name from Ancient Greek or Arabic