a ballroom dance of Latin-American origin
"The couple moved gracefully across the floor, executing every step of the passionate tango."
music written in duple time for dancing the tango
"The orchestra began to play a passionate tango, filling the ballroom with its rhythmic, duple-time melody."
A Standard ballroom dance in 4/4 time; or a social dance, the Argentine tango.
"The couple moved gracefully across the floor as they performed the elegant steps of the tango."
In plain English: A tango is a passionate dance where partners move closely together with dramatic steps and sudden pauses.
"They danced tango with their arms wrapped tightly together."
Usage: Do not confuse this noun with the verb form meaning to engage in a romantic relationship. When referring specifically to the Argentine style, capitalize as "Argentine tango" rather than using the generic term alone.
dance a tango
"The couple stepped onto the floor to tango, their movements synchronized and passionate."
To dance the tango.
"The couple moved gracefully across the floor as they danced the tango to the passionate rhythm of the orchestra."
The word tango entered English directly from the Rioplatense Spanish of Argentina and Uruguay. Its ultimate origin is likely a Niger-Congo language such as Ibibio, where it originally meant "to dance."