dance
to move one's feet or body, or both, rhythmically in a pattern of steps, especially to the accompaniment of music.
to leap, skip, etc., as from excitement or emotion; move nimbly or quickly: to dance with joy.
to bob up and down: The toy sailboats danced on the pond.
to perform or take part in (a dance): to dance a waltz.
to cause to dance: He danced her around the ballroom.
to cause to be in a specified condition by dancing: She danced her way to stardom.
a successive group of rhythmical steps or bodily motions, or both, usually executed to music.
an act or round of dancing; set: May I have this dance?
the art of dancing: to study dance.
a social gathering or party for dancing; ball: Was he invited to the dance?
a piece of music suited in rhythm or style to a particular form of dancing: He liked the composer's country dances.
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.
the dance, ballet, interpretive dancing, and other dancing of an artistic nature performed by professional dancers before an audience.
Idioms about dance
dance attendance. attendance (def. 3).
dance on air, Slang. to be hanged.
dance to another tune, to change one's behavior, attitudes, etc.
Origin of dance
1Other words for dance
Other words from dance
- danc·ing·ly, adverb
- an·ti·danc·ing, adjective
- outdance, verb (used with object), out·danced, out·danc·ing.
- un·danc·ing, adjective
- well-danced, adjective
Words Nearby dance
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use dance in a sentence
This “ordered dance” of electrons could give rise to the fast radio burst by converting the energy of the electrons’ movement into radio waves, Metzger says.
Neutrinos could reveal how fast radio bursts are launched | Lisa Grossman | September 16, 2020 | Science NewsCycling, high-intensity interval training, yoga, and dance are among the weekly workouts.
Everything announced at Apple’s ‘Time Flies’ event today | rhhackettfortune | September 15, 2020 | FortuneWhether your kid likes hip-hop, Zumba, or just bopping around the living room to some Disney tunes, there’s an online dance class that will get them sweating.
A 15-Week Exercise Plan for Kids and Families | Krista Langlois | September 12, 2020 | Outside OnlineNever mind that its primary content is teenage dance videos.
How Trump’s TikTok ban pushed China’s most independent tech billionaire closer to Beijing | claychandler | September 10, 2020 | FortuneMost viewers never notice the gorilla — even when it stops to do a funny dance.
You don’t see as much color as you think | Bethany Brookshire | August 21, 2020 | Science News For Students
Girls in Peacetime Want to dance is a different sound for you.
Twelve-year-old dance prodigy Maddie Ziegler has suffered the wrath of dance Moms tyrant Abby Lee Miller.
See Burly Shia LaBeouf Interpretive Cage Fight Lil Sia in the Singer’s Fantastic New Music Video | Marlow Stern | January 7, 2015 | THE DAILY BEASTAnd with the dance sequence, we wanted something very physical.
Coffee Talk with Fred Armisen: On ‘Portlandia,’ Meeting Obama, and Taylor Swift’s Greatness | Marlow Stern | January 7, 2015 | THE DAILY BEAST“My dance instructor always says she earns most of her income from private teaching,” says Monir.
Iran’s Becoming a Footloose Nation as Dance Lessons Spread | IranWire | January 2, 2015 | THE DAILY BEASTEven for Arabic dance no one wears a long dress, just a scarf around the hips.
Iran’s Becoming a Footloose Nation as Dance Lessons Spread | IranWire | January 2, 2015 | THE DAILY BEASTThe moon seemed to smile on him; the aurora appeared to dance with unwonted vigour, as if in glee; the very stars winked at him!
The Giant of the North | R.M. Ballantynedance-giving mammas were anxious to secure the success of their entertainments by obtaining the presence of "lovely Mrs. Haggard."
The Pit Town Coronet, Volume I (of 3) | Charles James WillsAristide picked it up and began to dance and shake his fist at the invisible police.
The Joyous Adventures of Aristide Pujol | William J. LockeThe first curtsey I remember receiving, except of course in the stately ceremonies of the dance.
Fifty Years of Railway Life in England, Scotland and Ireland | Joseph TatlowBut you, so formed to shine—to eclipse all others—do you never dance, seorita?
British Dictionary definitions for dance
/ (dɑːns) /
(intr) to move the feet and body rhythmically, esp in time to music
(tr) to perform (a particular dance)
(intr) to skip or leap, as in joy, etc
to move or cause to move in a light rhythmic way
dance attendance on someone to attend someone solicitously or obsequiously
a series of rhythmic steps and movements, usually in time to music: Related adjective: Terpsichorean
an act of dancing
a social meeting arranged for dancing; ball
(as modifier): a dance hall
a piece of music in the rhythm of a particular dance form, such as a waltz
short for dance music (def. 2)
dancelike movements made by some insects and birds, esp as part of a behaviour pattern
lead someone a dance British informal to cause someone continued worry and exasperation; play up
Origin of dance
1Derived forms of dance
- danceable, adjective
- dancer, noun
- dancing, noun, adjective
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Other Idioms and Phrases with dance
In addition to the idioms beginning with dance
- dance attendance on
- dance to another tune
also see:
- lead a chase (dance)
- song and dance
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
Browse