prance

American  

[prans, prahns] / præns, prɑns /

verb (used without object)

pranced, prancing

1. to spring from the hind legs; to move by springing, as a horse.

2. to ride on a horse doing this.

3. to ride gaily, proudly, or insolently.

4. to move or go in an elated manner; cavort.

   Synonyms:

   frisk, frolic, romp, skip, leap, gambol

5. to dance or move in a lively or spirited manner; caper.

   Synonyms:

   frisk, frolic, romp, skip, leap, gambol

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verb (used with object)

pranced, prancing

1. to cause to prance.

noun

1. the act of prancing; a prancing movement.

prance British  

/ prɑːns /

verb

1. (intr) to swagger or strut

2. (intr) to caper, gambol, or dance about

3. (intr)

   1. (of a horse) to move with high lively springing steps

   2. to ride a horse that moves in this way

4. (tr) to cause to prance

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noun

1. the act or an instance of prancing

Other Word Forms

• prancer noun
• prancingly adverb

Etymology

Origin of prance

1325–75; Middle English prauncen, praunsen (v.); akin to Danish (dial.) pransk spirited, said of a horse

Example Sentences

The kids prance around the yard quoting “Macbeth” a decade before he’ll stage it and Mescal gets to recite a “Hamlet” soliloquy as a little treat.

From Los Angeles Times

Having red ribbons braided through one’s mane, prancing obediently through obstacle courses, and taking jumps at a trot—what was it all for?

From Literature

She stuck the jet-black feather in her hair and began prancing around and chirping orders in a wicked imitation of Lady Constance Ashton.

From Literature

Her expression of intense, agonizing curiosity said the rest, as did the excited way she pranced in place and the soundless giggles that she carefully muffled with her free hand.

From Literature

The ram pranced away and led our friends to a narrow path that wound up the rocky mountainside.

From Literature

Related Words

• gambol
• sashay
• strut
• swagger