dance
Americanverb (used without object)
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dances,
present (3rd person singular)
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danced,
past participle, past
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dancing
present participle
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to move one's feet or body, or both, rhythmically in a pattern of steps, especially to the accompaniment of music.
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to leap, skip, etc., as from excitement or emotion; move nimbly or quickly.
to dance with joy.
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to bob up and down.
The toy sailboats danced on the pond.
verb (used with object)
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dances,
present (3rd person singular)
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danced,
past participle, past
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dancing
present participle
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to perform or take part in (a dance).
to dance a waltz.
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to cause to dance.
He danced her around the ballroom.
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to cause to be in a specified condition by dancing.
She danced her way to stardom.
noun
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dances
plural
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a successive group of rhythmical steps or bodily motions, or both, usually executed to music.
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an act or round of dancing; set.
May I have this dance?
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the art of dancing.
to study dance.
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a social gathering or party for dancing; ball.
Was he invited to the dance?
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a piece of music suited in rhythm or style to a particular form of dancing.
He liked the composer's country dances.
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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.
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the dance, ballet, interpretive dancing, and other dancing of an artistic nature performed by professional dancers before an audience.
idioms
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dance attendance. attendance.
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dance on air, to be hanged.
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dance to another tune, to change one's behavior, attitudes, etc.
verb
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(intr) to move the feet and body rhythmically, esp in time to music
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(tr) to perform (a particular dance)
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(intr) to skip or leap, as in joy, etc
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to move or cause to move in a light rhythmic way
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to attend someone solicitously or obsequiously
noun
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a series of rhythmic steps and movements, usually in time to music
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an act of dancing
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a social meeting arranged for dancing; ball
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( as modifier )
a dance hall
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a piece of music in the rhythm of a particular dance form, such as a waltz
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short for dance music
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dancelike movements made by some insects and birds, esp as part of a behaviour pattern
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informal to cause someone continued worry and exasperation; play up
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
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dancernoun
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dancingnoun
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outdanceverb (used with object)
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antidancingadjective
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danceableadjective
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undancingadjective
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well-dancedadjective
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dancinglyadverb
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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dancesimple
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dancessimple
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have dancedperfect
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has dancedperfect
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am dancingprogressive
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are dancingprogressive
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is dancingprogressive
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have been dancingperfect progressive
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has been dancingperfect progressive
Past
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dancedsimple
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had dancedperfect
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was dancingprogressive
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were dancingprogressive
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had been dancingperfect progressive
Future
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” ( see also tense 1 ( def. )); noun derivative of the verb
Explanation
A dance is a series of movements — sometimes choreographed, but sometimes not — where the person moves in time to music. Rumba, tango, disco, swing, and ballet are all examples of types of dances. If you move in a rhythmic manner — especially to music — you can use the verb dance to explain your actions. As a noun, a dance can be a social occasion, held by a school or by some other organization, where music is played and people gather to dance or just hang out. In fact, sometimes there is no actual dancing at a dance — especially when young teenagers feel awkward around one another.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
But it’s their journey and all the bizarre autocratic municipal rules they have to dance around that make “One Night Only” a clever, peculiar and head-scratching standout from the rom-com crowd.
From Salon ● Aug. 15, 2026
Now they hope their sudden popularity will push others off the sofa and onto the dance floor, they said.
From Barron's ● Aug. 13, 2026
The highlight was a dance battle to “Party in the U.S.A.”
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 12, 2026
The South Common, Lincoln: A sunset dance will be taking place on the open green space on the southeastern boundary of Lincoln.
From BBC ● Aug. 12, 2026
When I don’t answer, she scoffs again before joining her friends on the dance floor.
From "Legendary Frybread Drive-In" by Cynthia Leitich Smith
Beyond the TikTok dances, zeitgeist-making moments and fans supporting their favorites, Hough thinks the reason for “Dancing’s” renaissance might be as simple as viewers looking for a “joy-filled” escape every week.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 11, 2026
"Our culture is our clothing, our crafts, our dances and our language, not a practice that kills. Culture does not kill."
From BBC ● Aug. 4, 2026
The start of Khao Phansa on Thursday was a joyous affair in the rural province of Samut Sakhon, featuring offerings to monks and traditional dances.
From Barron's ● Aug. 3, 2026
Still, he said, “when she dances, she looks so big. That’s her strength. Something just bursts out of her, doesn’t it? I think that’s why everyone is drawn to her.”
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 22, 2026
Over several weekends each June, the Osage hold their ceremonial dances, I'n-Lon-Schka.
From "Killers of the Flower Moon" by David Grann
And each time, the notes danced away just before I could snatch the answer from my memory bank.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 12, 2026
“Invitation” begins with “Circus,” with Kelly made up as a clown who pines for a beautiful performer, danced by Claire Sombert, who is herself in love with a chiseled aerialist, played by Igor Youskevitch.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 7, 2026
Costumed participants danced and waved from a colourful flotilla of 80 decorated vessels as they made their way through the city's waterways.
From BBC ● Aug. 1, 2026
She danced and sinned and regretted and atoned, and then contradicted herself by doing it all over again.
From Salon ● Jul. 8, 2026
I had danced with him at Maggie’s wedding, making faces at Celia.
From "Nory Ryan’s Song" by Patricia Reilly Giff
Charlie described the atmosphere as "magical", and said: "The kids haven't stopped screaming and been dancing around since we've been here."
From BBC ● Aug. 15, 2026
The two met at dancing class, where Fava was one of Iannotta's pupils, and started performing outdoors regularly in the summer since, as Iannotta puts it, they both "hate sitting around at home".
From Barron's ● Aug. 13, 2026
Alicante has music for lunch, music for dancing, music for parades.
From Salon ● Aug. 11, 2026
“The disco dancing wasn’t really that hard for me because I grew up loving ’70s music, so I’d always dance in my room to it.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 7, 2026
He just continues to stare at me, amusement dancing behind his eyes.
From "Kwame Crashes the Underworld" by Craig Kofi Farmer
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
