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

They went on to collaborate on a musical track Cave describes as “becoming a slowly evolving cosmic dance, in the form of a reconciliation and an apology.”

From Salon • Apr. 4, 2026

A woman who just gave her name as Susana joins Juan Marín, 73, on the dance floor.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 4, 2026

Geishas, known as geikos in Kyoto, and apprentices called maikos have been donning elaborate costumes and fluttering fans since the Miyako Odori -- or "capital city dance" -- first started in 1872.

From Barron's • Apr. 3, 2026

The one advantage was that the dancers, mainly on a plain stage, could shine in a town that knows its dance.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 3, 2026

I have sweat on my lip and my stomach is up in my chest doing some kind of hula dance.

From "Popcorn" by Rob Harrell

Related Words

• disco
• samba
• tango
• waltz