one-step

[ wuhn-step ]

noun

1. a round dance performed by couples to ragtime.
2. a piece of music for this dance.

verb (used without object)

1. to dance the one-step.

one-step

noun

1. an early 20th-century ballroom dance with long quick steps, the precursor of the foxtrot
2. a piece of music composed for or in the rhythm of this dance

Word History and Origins

Origin of one-step¹

First recorded in 1910–15

Example Sentences

His life as the child of a vaudeville couple was one-step above living in the circus—cheap hotels and rooming houses were home.

From The Daily Beast

On each carton of Plan B One-Step, a widely used emergency contraceptive, is an FDA-approved drug label (PDF).

From The Daily Beast

While a one-step was in full swing some would-be wag suddenly turned off all the lights.

From Project Gutenberg

One-step, fox-trot and a Lulu Fado followed in smooth succession.

From Project Gutenberg

For what was a two-step now compared to the one-step which Pee-wee had taken?

From Project Gutenberg

To her relief, the orchestra struck up a one-step, and the girls all separated to dance.

From Project Gutenberg

And Kitts will spring the book on Windy again, I feel it in my bones, and if he does—choose your partners for the one-step!

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• disco
• samba
• tango
• waltz