tea dance

noun

1. a dance held at teatime.

tea dance

noun

1. a dance held in the afternoon at which tea is served

Word History and Origins

Origin of tea dance¹

First recorded in 1880–85

Example Sentences

Some favored the social gatherings that featured an open floor, where they could buy a ticket to what is known as the afternoon tea dance or the night dance.

From New York Times

The recent presentation of Balanchine’s “Nutcracker” — which replaced the hugely popular Stowell/Sendak version starting in 2015 — toned down some stereotypes in the ballet by, for instance, changing some aspects of choreography in the second act’s Chinese Tea Dance that felt caricaturing.

From Seattle Times

“Last Tango in Halifax” ended with the leads, Derek Jacobi and Anne Reid, at a tea dance.

From Los Angeles Times

The free We Say Gay Tea Dance runs from 3 to 9 p.m.

From Washington Post

As You Are’s Half-and-Half combines a drag show and tea dance, offering both drag kings and DJs from 3 to 8 p.m.

From Washington Post