Salsa Meaning
/ˈsɑl.sə/Definition, CEFR level B1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
nounA spicy tomato sauce of Mexican origin, often including onions and hot peppers.
nounA style of urban music originally from New York heavily influenced by Cuban dance music, jazz and rock.
Sentence Examples
I cannot dance one single step of Salsa.
He started taking salsa lessons.
Have you listened to the salsa version of that song?
CEFR Practice Quiz
They danced the lively ____ at the party last night.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The band played lively ____ music that had everyone on the dance floor within minutes.
Word Origin & History
PIE word *sḗh₂l Borrowed from Spanish salsa (“sauce”), from Latin salsus (“salted”), whence also the doublet sauce (via Old French).
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"Congressmen gleefully wolfed down every imaginable version of the hot dog – smoked kielbasas, jumbo grillers, Big & Juicy's, kosher dogs and spiced dogs – topped with every imaginable condiment – hot mustard, sweet mustard, jalapenos, spaghetti sauce, regular relish, corn relish, maple syrup salsa and the secret sauce of Rep. Jack Kingston (R-Ga.). ("If I told you the recipe," an aide explained, "I'd have to shoot you.")"
— 1994 July 21, Faye Fiore, “Congress relishes another franking privilege: Meat lobby puts on the dog with exclusive luncheon for lawmakers – experts on pork”, in Los Angeles Times, archived from the original on 26 Feb 2026:
"The marina was a mainstay of the neighborhood, and Mr. O’Rourke was known for staging salsa and merengue concerts."
— 2007 January 7, Alex Mindlin, “For a Shuttered Marina, Some Regret, Some Relief”, in The New York Times, archived from the original on 11 Apr 2021:
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CEFR Practice Quiz
They danced the lively ____ at the party last night.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The band played lively ____ music that had everyone on the dance floor within minutes.