cumbia

[ koom-bee-uh; Spanish koom-byah ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

a type of Latin American dance music of Colombian origin, similar to salsa and using guitars, accordions, bass guitar, and percussion.
a dance performed to this music.

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Word History and Origins

Origin of cumbia¹

First recorded in 1860–65; from Latin American Spanish; origin uncertain

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Example Sentences

It was where she made friends, told jokes to pass the long hours, and blasted music, especially the upbeat cumbia songs of her teenage years, in the locker room.

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