salsa
verbEtymology PIE word *sḗh₂l Borrowed from Spanish salsa (“sauce”), from Latin salsus (“salted”), whence also the doublet sauce (via Old French).
1
To dance the salsa.
- They salsaed late until the night.
salsa
nounUS /ˈsɑl.sə/ · UK /ˈsæl.sə/
Etymology PIE word *sḗh₂l Borrowed from Spanish salsa (“sauce”), from Latin salsus (“salted”), whence also the doublet sauce (via Old French).
1
A spicy tomato sauce of Mexican origin, often including onions and hot peppers.
- 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:
2
Entertainment, Lifestyle, Music A style of urban music originally from New York heavily influenced by Cuban dance music, jazz and rock.
- 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:
- Derived terms
- salsa golf, salsalike, salsa-like, salsamole, salsarita, salsa sauce, salsatheque, songo-salsa
- Related terms
- salsa roja, salt