prance

[ prans, prahns ]
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verb (used without object),pranced, pranc·ing.
  1. to spring from the hind legs; to move by springing, as a horse.

  2. to ride on a horse doing this.

  1. to ride gaily, proudly, or insolently.

  2. to move or go in an elated manner; cavort.

  3. to dance or move in a lively or spirited manner; caper.

verb (used with object),pranced, pranc·ing.
  1. to cause to prance.

noun
  1. the act of prancing; a prancing movement.

Origin of prance

1
1325–75; Middle English prauncen, praunsen (v.); akin to Danish (dial.) pransk spirited, said of a horse

Other words for prance

Other words from prance

  • prancer, noun
  • pranc·ing·ly, adverb

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use prance in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for prance

prance

/ (prɑːns) /


verb
  1. (intr) to swagger or strut

  2. (intr) to caper, gambol, or dance about

  1. (intr)

    • (of a horse) to move with high lively springing steps

    • to ride a horse that moves in this way

  2. (tr) to cause to prance

noun
  1. the act or an instance of prancing

Origin of prance

1
C14 prauncen; perhaps related to German prangen to be in full splendour; compare Danish (dialect) pransk lively, spirited, used of a horse

Derived forms of prance

  • prancer, noun
  • prancingly, adverb

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012