sashay

American  

[sa-shey] / sæˈʃeɪ /

verb (used without object)

Informal.

1. to glide, move, or proceed easily or nonchalantly.

   She just sashayed in as if she owned the place.

2. to chassé in dancing.

---

sashay British  

/ sæˈʃeɪ /

verb

1. to move, walk, or glide along casually

2. to move or walk in a showy way; parade

---

Etymology

Origin of sashay

1830–40, metathetic variant of chassé ( def. )

Explanation

To sashay is to walk with an exaggerated flounce. Fashion models sometimes sashay down the runway. When you sashay, you're showing off — but in a deliberately casual way. Kids playing dress up might sashay, and the most popular middle school students might sashay into class on the first day. You can also use sashay to describe a dance step, both a sideways square dance move and a ballet step; it's a mispronunciation of the French ballet term chassé, "gliding step," from chasser, "to chase," since one foot "chases" the other.

Example Sentences

Since it premiered in January, social media has largely delivered a similar message to “The Real Friends of WeHo”: Sashay away.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 3, 2023

Sashay your way into the New Year with a 13th season of “RuPaul’s Drag Race.”

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 25, 2020

The counter-protesters beat drums and waved posters with slogans, such as “KKK Sashay Away”, “Y’all SUKKK!” and “Stop Pretending that Your Racism is Patriotism”.

From The Guardian • Jul. 9, 2017

Queer-core punk band Sashay is a bundle of style, energy and porcupine quills.

From Seattle Times • May 12, 2017

EST 08:14 27 min: Alli embarks on a Power Sashay down the inside-left channel, and very nearly breaks into the Sunderland box.

From The Guardian • Jan. 16, 2016