sashay

American  

[sa-shey] / sæˈʃeɪ /

verb (used without object)

Informal.

1. to glide, move, or proceed easily or nonchalantly.

   She just sashayed in as if she owned the place.

2. to chassé in dancing.

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sashay British  

/ sæˈʃeɪ /

verb

1. to move, walk, or glide along casually

2. to move or walk in a showy way; parade

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Etymology

Origin of sashay

1830–40, metathetic variant of chassé ( def. )

Explanation

To sashay is to walk with an exaggerated flounce. Fashion models sometimes sashay down the runway. When you sashay, you're showing off — but in a deliberately casual way. Kids playing dress up might sashay, and the most popular middle school students might sashay into class on the first day. You can also use sashay to describe a dance step, both a sideways square dance move and a ballet step; it's a mispronunciation of the French ballet term chassé, "gliding step," from chasser, "to chase," since one foot "chases" the other.

Example Sentences

On a sunny afternoon last week, a huge crowd gathered to watch models sashay and pivot, showcasing pieces from bales once discarded as unwearable or unsellable.

From Barron's • Oct. 13, 2025

The band is an explosion of coordinated energy, with far more activity than the average marching band as its members skip, high kick and sashay, all while playing a tune.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 31, 2024

I’d boogie to “Boogie Fever,” clap to “Born To Be Alive” and sashay to “I Will Survive,” inches from shimmying into the La-Z-Boy or Travolta-armsing our Airedale.

From Salon • Jul. 25, 2024

Break out your rainbow boas and glittering tiaras and sashay your way to this can’t-miss show.

From Seattle Times • May 31, 2024

As she sat on the stoop putting on her skates, Shirley dreamed of the day when she would be able to race, sashay backward and spin on one foot.

From "In the Year of the Boar and Jackie Robinson" by Bette Bao Lord