noun
calypso
kuh-LIHP-soh
noun
1
A style of upbeat, rhythmic music that originated in Trinidad and spread through the Caribbean.
"A steel band played calypso on the beach all afternoon."
2
A song written in this musical style.
"He wrote a calypso about the island's independence."
verb
1
To sing or perform in the calypso style.
How to Use Calypso
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA lively Caribbean musical style, often with witty or topical lyrics.
Common pairings
calypso music
calypso band
calypso singer
Word Forms
calypsoed past tense, calypsos plural, calypsoes plural, calypsos plural, calypsoes plural, calypsos singular
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Etymology
From Trinidadian English, likely from the word "kaiso," possibly of West African origin; the spelling later merged with the name of the mythological nymph Calypso.