dance

[ dans, dahns ]

verb (used without object)

, danced, danc·ing.

1. to move one's feet or body, or both, rhythmically in a pattern of steps, especially to the accompaniment of music.
2. to leap, skip, etc., as from excitement or emotion; move nimbly or quickly:

   to dance with joy.

   Synonyms: prance, gambol, frolic, caper, cavort

3. to bob up and down:

   The toy sailboats danced on the pond.

verb (used with object)

, danced, danc·ing.

1. to perform or take part in (a dance):

   to dance a waltz.

2. to cause to dance:

   He danced her around the ballroom.

3. to cause to be in a specified condition by dancing:

   She danced her way to stardom.

noun

1. a successive group of rhythmical steps or bodily motions, or both, usually executed to music.
2. an act or round of dancing; set:

   May I have this dance?

3. the art of dancing:

   to study dance.

4. a social gathering or party for dancing; ball:

   Was he invited to the dance?

5. a piece of music suited in rhythm or style to a particular form of dancing:

   He liked the composer's country dances.

6. Animal Behavior. a stylized pattern of movements performed by an animal, as a bird in courtship display, or an insect, as a honeybee in indicating a source of nectar.
7. the dance, ballet, interpretive dancing, and other dancing of an artistic nature performed by professional dancers before an audience.

dance

/ dɑːns /

verb

1. intr to move the feet and body rhythmically, esp in time to music
2. tr to perform (a particular dance)
3. intr to skip or leap, as in joy, etc
4. to move or cause to move in a light rhythmic way
5. dance attendance on someone
   to attend someone solicitously or obsequiously

noun

1. a series of rhythmic steps and movements, usually in time to music Terpsichorean
2. an act of dancing
3. 1. a social meeting arranged for dancing; ball
   2. ( as modifier )

      a dance hall

4. a piece of music in the rhythm of a particular dance form, such as a waltz
5. short for dance music
6. dancelike movements made by some insects and birds, esp as part of a behaviour pattern
7. lead someone a dance informal.
   to cause someone continued worry and exasperation; play up

Derived Forms

• ˈdancing, nounadjective
• ˈdanceable, adjective
• ˈdancer, noun

Other Words From

• dancing·ly adverb
• anti·dancing adjective
• outdance verb (used with object) outdanced outdancing
• un·dancing adjective
• well-danced adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of dance¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; (for the verb) Middle English da(u)ncen, from Anglo-French dancer, dauncer, Old French dancier, perhaps from Old High German dansjan, dansōn (unrecorded) “to draw, stretch out, lead to a dance” ( tense ¹( def ) ); noun derivative of the verb

Word History and Origins

Origin of dance¹

C13: from Old French dancier

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. dance on air, Slang. to be hanged.
2. dance to another tune, to change one's behavior, attitudes, etc.
3. dance attendance. attendance ( def 3 ).

More idioms and phrases containing dance

• lead a chase (dance)
• song and dance

Example Sentences

“It’s not that I don’t dance,” he clarifies, “I do, but at home and at weddings.”

From Los Angeles Times

“I told him I wanted the music to be something audiences could dance to,” Coppola says.

From Los Angeles Times

Nessa and Boq then join hands for a brief but jubilant dance break that ends up being one of the movie’s most romantic scenes.

From Los Angeles Times

The fluffy dresses and elaborate dances are about romanticizing a dehumanizing view of women, in which they are male property, whose only value is in being a sex object.

From Salon

Toward the end of every year, our critics share their thoughts on the best film, television, pop music, classical music, books, art, dance, theater, video games, comedy and so much more.

From New York Times