dance

American  

[dans, dahns] / dæns, dɑns /

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.

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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.

idioms

1. dance attendance. attendance.

2. dance on air, to be hanged.

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

dance British  

/ 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

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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

dance More Idioms  

More idioms and phrases containing dance

• lead a chase (dance)
• song and dance

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Other Word Forms

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

Etymology

Origin of dance

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

Example Sentences

The 78-year-old had always lived life to the full, and been keenly involved in aqua-aerobics and dance classes since her retirement as a social worker.

From BBC

They were undefeated this season, placing first for both the rhythm and free dance portions of every competition.

From Los Angeles Times

Great Britain's Lilah Fear and Lewis Gibson miss out on a podium finish in the figure skating ice dance event, after a disappointing performance in their free dance routine at the 2026 Winter Olympics.

From BBC

Lilah Fear and Lewis Gibson missed out on becoming the first British figure skaters in 32 years to win an Olympic medal, as they failed to make the ice dance podium at Milan-Cortina 2026.

From BBC

Former Strictly Come Dancing professional Robin Windsor slipped "deeper and deeper into endless depression" after leaving the show, actress Lisa Riley, a former dance partner, has told his inquest.

From BBC

Related Words

• disco
• samba
• tango
• waltz