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fan dance

American

noun

a solo dance performed by a nude or nearly nude woman using fans for covering.

fan dance British

noun

a dance in which large fans are manipulated in front of the body, partially revealing or suggesting nakedness

"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 Word Forms

fan dancer

noun

Etymology

Origin of fan dance

First recorded in 1875–80

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.

Ultimately, Mr. McConnell agreed to devising a procedural fan dance: A handful of Republican senators will help provide the 60 votes needed to create a one-time fast-track process to raise the debt ceiling.

From Washington Post • Dec. 8, 2021

Scottish Ballet brought in Chinese choreographer Annie Au to work with the dancers on a more authentic fan dance.

From BBC • Dec. 3, 2021

The same friend later posted photos of herself and a Han Chinese woman doing a Chinese fan dance, playing the drums and wearing traditional Han clothing.

From Seattle Times • Nov. 29, 2018

The same friend later posted photos of herself and a Han Chinese woman doing a Chinese fan dance, playing the drums and wearing traditional Han clothing.

From Washington Times • Nov. 29, 2018

Vera Mason borrowed one of Robin’s kimonos and a fan and performed a Japanese fan dance.

From Marjorie Dean College Junior by Lester, Pauline

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.