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• jazz dance
  jazz dance

  noun

  a dance form or dance that is matched to the rhythms and techniques of jazz music, developed by African Americans in the early part of the 20th century.
• jazz-dance
  jazz-dance

  verb (used without object)

  to perform jazz dance.

jazz dance

¹ American  

noun

1. a dance form or dance that is matched to the rhythms and techniques of jazz music, developed by African Americans in the early part of the 20th century.

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jazz-dance ² American  

[jaz-dans, ‑-dahns] / ˈdʒæzˌdæns, ‑ˌdɑns /

verb (used without object)

jazz-danced, jazz-dancing

1. to perform jazz dance.

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• jazz dancer
  noun

Etymology

Origin of jazz dance

First recorded in 1915–20

Example Sentences

Breanna lives in Tacoma, Washington state, in the US and has trained in ballet, contemporary, and jazz dance since childhood.

From BBC • Apr. 10, 2026

A writer of wide-ranging interests and indefatigable productivity, Mr. Teachout wrote essays for dozens of publications on almost every form of artistic expression, including classical music, jazz, dance, theater and books.

From Washington Post • Jan. 14, 2022

If you want to understand the connections between jazz dance and its progeny you could read a book or take a course.

From New York Times • May 12, 2021

In fact, taking a Zoom class or watching a few YouTube videos in basic jazz dance might help.

From Slate • Mar. 9, 2021

He had the reputation of being peppery tempered, therefore she walked into the room to take her first lesson with her heart performing a sort of jazz dance under her jersey.

From A Popular Schoolgirl by Salmon, Balliol