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• terpsichorean
  terpsichorean

  adjective

  pertaining to dancing.
• Terpsichorean
  Terpsichorean

  adjective

  of or relating to dancing or the art of dancing

terpsichorean

American  

[turp-si-kuh-ree-uhn, turp-si-kawr-ee-uhn, -kohr-] / ˌtɜrp sɪ kəˈri ən, ˌtɜrp sɪˈkɔr i ən, -ˈkoʊr- /

adjective

1. pertaining to dancing.

2. Terpsichorean, of or relating to Terpsichore.

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noun

1. a dancer.

Terpsichorean British  

/ -ˈkɔːrɪən, ˌtɜːpsɪkəˈrɪən /

adjective

1. of or relating to dancing or the art of dancing

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noun

1. a dancer

Etymology

Origin of terpsichorean

First recorded in 1825–30; Terpsichore + -an

Explanation

If you want to describe your school dance with an impressive adjective, you can call it a terpsichorean party. Terpsichorean describes something that has to do with dancing. You might tell your friend that you're planning something terpsichorean for the big camp talent show. He may have no idea what you mean, but you'll know you're planning to dance. The word terpsichorean comes from Terpsikhore, one of Greek mythology's nine muses. Terpsikhore literally means "enjoyment of dance," and she was the muse known for ruling over dance while playing her lyre.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

terpsichorean Terpsichorean

“The terpsichorean abilities of the ballet equaled the wonderful voices of the chorus. The ballet pictures and dances … were enhanced by the dancers wearing their colorful national costumes.”

From Washington Post ● Mar. 2, 2022

Instead, his terpsichorean feathers and fabrics hypnotize us into a state that approaches synesthesia, in which we seem to be hearing with our eyes, or seeing with our ears.

From New York Times ● Apr. 4, 2018

We owe profuse thanks to our terpsichorean tutor, Ms. Esther Frances of the Arthur Murray Dance Center on Fifth Avenue in Manhattan.

From Slate ● Oct. 8, 2014

One terpsichorean will stand triumphant when "So You Think You Can Dance" wraps its 10th season.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 28, 2014

Arethusa had proved an apt pupil to Timothy's friendly instructions when he had come home from college and passed on his acquirements in the art terpsichorean.

From The Heart of Arethusa by Fox, Frances Barton

In Dallas the big story was the annual Terpsichorean Ball.

From Time Magazine Archive

Flung back somehow to England, he suddenly turned up as a lecturer on chemistry, and then established a dancing institution and Terpsichorean Athenæum.

From Chambers's Edinburgh Journal, No. 422 Volume 17, New Series, January 31, 1852 by Chambers, Robert

Late in the evening those that were fond of Terpsichorean amusement were ushered into a room where the tapestry was covered and there spent several hours in minuets, waltzes, quadrilles, etc.

From Every-Day Errors of Speech by Meredith, L. P.

Well, mamma darling," she said at last as youth and beauty whirled by in a maelstrom of modern Terpsichorean liveliness, "she is a great success.

From The Head of the House of Coombe by Burnett, Frances Hodgson

The pair danced away with great agility and contentment,—first a waltz, then a galop, then a waltz again, until, in the second waltz, they were bumped by another couple who had joined the Terpsichorean choir.

From The History of Pendennis by Thackeray, William Makepeace