dance

[dans, dahns]

verb (used without object)

danced, dancing 

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, dancing 

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. to attend someone solicitously or obsequiously

noun

1. a series of rhythmic steps and movements, usually in time to music

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. informal,  to cause someone continued worry and exasperation; play up

Other Word Forms

• dancingly adverb
• antidancing adjective
• outdance verb (used with object)
• undancing adjective
• well-danced adjective
• dancing noun
• danceable adjective
• dancer noun

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 attendance. attendance.

2. dance on air, to be hanged.

3. dance to another tune, to change one's behavior, attitudes, etc.

More idioms and phrases containing dance

• lead a chase (dance)
• song and dance

Example Sentences

The ocean sparkled in the distance, little crystals dancing on its surface.

From Los Angeles Times

There’s some nostalgia involved, sure, tied up with memories of dancing with your goth girlfriends at New Wave Dance Night, but all three of those songs on a random Friday in Ohio were total steamrollers.

From Salon

A dance, a celebration, a complaint - each becomes a referendum on his character.

From BBC

Picnic in our backpacks, my husband and I hiked in from the Palomarin Headlands — about 2.5 miles — along cliffs where you can spot gray and humpback whales, and shaded paths where dappled shadows dance.

From Los Angeles Times

Music, comedy, dance performances and poetry readings from Indigenous artists will be among the activities on offer.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• disco 
• samba 
• tango 
• waltz