English · Word Candidate

disco

/ˈdɪskəʊ/

Proposed by a contributor, not yet supported by evidence.

Also seen as: discos · discoing · discoed

Sense 1

Meaning · English

A genre of dance music that was popular in the 1970s, characterized by elements of soul music with a strong Latin-American beat and often accompanied by pulsating lights.

Noun

Examples

And black music became a hot commodity in the form of disco, its lyrics and rhythm laced with a palpable (even ethnic) amiguity, helping people dance and escape their concerns. Even the cry of “burn, baby, burn”, a popular chant during many a 1960s urban rebellion, was co-opted by the times, becomin

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 2

Meaning · English

A dance, a social gathering where dancing is the main activity.

NounRegister: UK

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 3

Meaning · English

To dance disco-style dances.

Verb

Examples

The cause of his ill health is left a little obscure, and no wonder, because shortly before his dreadful deathbed scene he's well enough to join the women in a wild night of disco dancing. You have not lived until you've seen Martin Landau discoing.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 4

Meaning · English

To go to discotheques.

Verb

Examples

Learning that a discoing sex appeal has returned to the runways is a little like hearing that Barbra Streisand and Barry Gibb are reuniting.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Common questions

What does “disco” mean?

A genre of dance music that was popular in the 1970s, characterized by elements of soul music with a strong Latin-American beat and often accompanied by pulsating lights.

Is “disco” formal or informal?

No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.