prance

[prans, prahns]

verb (used without object), pranced, pranc·ing.

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

to ride on a horse doing this.

to ride gaily, proudly, or insolently.

to move or go in an elated manner; cavort.

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

verb (used with object), pranced, pranc·ing.

to cause to prance.

noun

the act of prancing; a prancing movement.

Origin of prance

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

Related formspranc·er, nounpranc·ing·ly, adverb

Synonyms for prance

4, 5. gambol, leap, skip, romp, frolic, frisk.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

British Dictionary definitions for prancer

prance

verb

(intr) to swagger or strut

(intr) to caper, gambol, or dance about

(intr)

(of a horse) to move with high lively springing steps
to ride a horse that moves in this way

(tr) to cause to prance

noun

the act or an instance of prancing

Derived Formsprancer, nounprancingly, adverb

Word Origin for prance

C14 prauncen; perhaps related to German prangen to be in full splendour; compare Danish (dialect) pransk lively, spirited, used of a horse

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

Word Origin and History for prancer

1560s, originally thieves' slang for "a horse," agent noun from prance (v.).

prance

late 14c., originally of horses, of unknown origin, perhaps related to Middle English pranken "to show off," from Middle Dutch pronken "to strut, parade" (see prank); or perhaps from Danish dialectal prandse "to go in a stately manner." Klein suggests Old French paravancier. Related: Pranced; prancing. As a noun from 1751, from the verb.