sashay
Americanverb (used without object)
-
to glide, move, or proceed easily or nonchalantly.
She just sashayed in as if she owned the place.
-
to chassé in dancing.
verb
-
to move, walk, or glide along casually
-
to move or walk in a showy way; parade
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.
Vocabulary lists containing sashay
Language Gone Wrong: Words That Started Out as Errors
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Pride
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
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
She was the first queen to sashay away when the Ru Paul's Drag Race franchise screeched into the UK.
From BBC ● Mar. 8, 2024
Today, when the speakers atop the group’s sound truck erupt in downtown Milwaukee, the Grannies sashay to a carefree beat: “We are family! I’ve got all my sisters with me!”
From Seattle Times ● Nov. 17, 2022
I roll my eyes at her, do a perfect pivot, and sashay my way back to Beatriz.
From "Like Vanessa" by Tami Charles
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
