• Abanico (Fan)

• Académico (Academic Rotation) - A variation of Giro Básico in Silver Pecho.

• Abrazo (The Embrace; a Hug).

• Acecho (Stalking) A variation of Key Pattern 1 in Vals Bronze

• Achispado (Tipsy) - A variation of Triates in Gold Vals.

• Acunado (Cradled) - Key Pattern 5 in Silver Milonga.

• Adelante - Forward. See Derecha, Izquierda, Al Costado, and Atrás.

• Adorno (Adornment; Embellishment) - See Adorno, Amague, Caricias, Carpa, Castigada, Chiché, Conclusion, Contrapaso, Cuartas, Cuatro, Cucharita, Dibujo, Elevación, Entrada, Fanfarron, Firulete, Frappé, Friccion, Gancho, Golpes, Latigo, Patada, Pausa, Picados, Punteo, Resolution, Ronde, Sacada, Salida, Saltito, Sandwiche, Sanguchito, Stork, Toque and Truco.

• Aficionado (From afición - liking; amateur; fancier) - An enthusiastic admirer or follower; a devotee or a fan of something, such as tango. See Tanguero, Lunfardo, Milnguera, Milonguita, Bailarín, Compadre, Vareador, Compadrito, Grelas, Guapo, Portranca, Mina, Paicas, Pebeta, and Planchadoras.

• Afuera (Outside) - A variation of Cadencia in Bronze Tango.

• Agarro (Grasp) - A variation of Atrapada in Gold Tango.

• Aguja (Needle) - Key Pattern 8 in Silver Vals. An adornment for the man done with the working foot vertical with the toe into the floor while pivoting inside a Molinete.

• Alas (Wings) - A variation of Molinetes in Bronze Tango and Bronze Vals. Figure consists of man performing a Lanzamiento of the woman to his left side in a wing position followed by an Arrojada of the woman to his right, often with several steps between. The man takes only one step to the woman’s three steps of the Lanzamiento or Arrojara

• Alas Abierta (Cradled) - Key Pattern 2 in Silver Vals.

• Al Costado - To the side. See Derecha, Izquierda, Adelante, and Atrás.

• Amague (Feint) An Amague is used as an embellishment either led or done on one’s own, and may be used before taking a step. But also the quick left/right movement that might be seen from a football running back attempting to fake the blocker. See Marinero/Barajada for an example. See Adorno, Amague, Caricias, Carpa, Castigada, Chiche, Conclusion, Contrapaso, Cuartas, Cuatro, Cucharita, Dibujo, Elevación, Entrada, Fanfarron, Firulete, Frappé, Friccion, Gancho, Golpes, Latigo, Patada, Pausa, Picados, Punteo, Resolution, Ronde, Sacada, Salida, Saltito, Sandwiche, Sanguchito, Stork, Toque and Truco.

• Americana - Paseo (Promenade start)

• Ancora (Anchor) - A variation of Acunado in Silver Milonga.

• Apilado (Piled On, leaning) - Either when the dancers are off axis and leaning against each other more than usual, or a style of tango dancing which involves leaning.

• Apoyo (Support) - A variation of Básico Academico in Gold Pecho.

• Arrabal - The slums.

• Arranque (Pulling Out) - A variation of Enganche in Gold Tango.

• Arrastre (Drag) - A variation of Contra Arrastre in Silver Tango.

• Arrastres (Drags) - A variation of Rulos in Silver Vals.

• Arrastre Inversa (Reverse Drag) - A variation of Contra Arrastre in Silver Tango.

• Arrepentida (Change Mind) - A variation of Acunado in Silver Milonga. A family of steps which allow a couple to back away from a collision or traffic jam in a minimal amount of space and on short notice.

• Arrojada (Cast) - A variation of Molinetes in Bronze Tango and Bronze Vals. A mirror of the Lanzamiento that moves from right to left, the Arrojada moves from left to right.

• Arrojada Cruzada (Crossed Cast) - A variation of Lanzamiento y Arrojada in Silver Milonga and Alas Abierta in Silver Vals.

• Arruga/Quebradita (Winkle Walk/Little Break) - A variation of Caminata Cruzada in Silver Tango.

• Atrapadita (Little Catch) - A variation of Contra Barrida in Silver Tango.

• Atrás (Backward) See Derecha, Izquierda, Adelante, and Al Costado.

• Atrás Giratorio (Rotating Back Eight) - A variation of Ocho Cortado in Silver Pecho.

• Atrapada (Catch) - Key Pattern 9 in Gold Tango.

• Atravesado (Traversing) - A variation of Paradas y Despedidas in Bronze Tango.

• Atornillo (Screwing) - Key Pattern 9 in Gold Vals.

• Axis (Eje in Spanish) - The physical axis of the dancer, along which the posture and balance are formed. Both the man and the woman have their own axis, though in certain styles of tango the axis may align into the one. Axis are only formed in a turn, not in linear or turning motion. The man must be aware of the location of the axis in each figure. See Centripetal Force, Centrifugal Force, Energy, Lead/Follow, Mass, Momentum (Angular), and Momentum (Linear).

• Azotainas y Escapada (Spanking & Escapade) - A variation of Palancas in Gold Vals.