waltz

[wawlts]

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR waltz ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

a ballroom dance, in moderately fast triple meter, in which the dancers revolve in perpetual circles, taking one step to each beat.

a piece of music for, or in the rhythm of, this dance.

Informal. an easy victory or accomplishment: The game was a waltz—we won by four touchdowns. The math exam was a waltz.

adjective

of, relating to, or characteristic of the waltz, as music, rhythm, or dance: waltz tempo.

verb (used without object)

to dance or move in a waltz step or rhythm: an invitation to waltz.

Informal.

to move breezily or casually: to waltz in late for dinner.
to progress easily or successfully (often followed by through): to waltz through an exam.

verb (used with object)

to lead (a partner) in dancing a waltz.

Informal. to move or lead briskly and easily: He waltzed us right into the governor's office.

to fill (a period of time) with waltzing (often followed by away, through, etc.): They waltzed the night away.

Origin of waltz

1775–85; back formation from German Walzer a waltz (taken as walz + -er¹), derivative of walzen to roll, dance; compare obsolete English walt unsteady, dial. walter to roll

Related formswaltz·er, nounwaltz·like, adjective

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

Related Words for waltz

march, music, whirl

Examples from the Web for waltz

Contemporary Examples of waltz

I think people think that I would just wake up in the morning and do Bollywood or the waltz, things I had never done before.
'So You Think You Can Dance' Winner Ricky Ubeda Is Adorable, and Tired
Kevin Fallon
September 4, 2014
Take, for example, the simple chuckle of seeing Christoph Waltz do the waltz, a seconds-long, perfect cameo.
‘Muppets Most Wanted’ Is a Perfect (Utterly Silly) Muppet Movie
Kevin Fallon
March 21, 2014
Paul Wolfowitz lied airily about what a waltz it would all be.
If We Stay Out of Syria, Assad Has Bush to Thank
Michael Tomasky
September 4, 2013
Waltz eventually replaced DiCaprio in the role and won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor.
2012’s Most Anticipated Movies: Dark Knight Rises, Hunger Games, More
Marlow Stern
January 4, 2012
Waltz and the other actors mentioned declined comment via their reps.
Oscars' Effect on Stars' Careers
Marlow Stern
February 23, 2011

Historical Examples of waltz

She knew how to waltz and she could dance the polka and the schottishe.
Changing Winds
St. John G. Ervine
He was wondering why the interest in the Gaelic language was not so strong as the interest in the waltz.
Changing Winds
St. John G. Ervine
The trees of the forest seemed to waltz around me in mazy circles.
The Continental Monthly, Vol. 4, No. 2, August, 1863
Various
Jack De Baron would be there, and would want to know why she would not waltz.
Is He Popenjoy?
Anthony Trollope
You don't mean to say she ought to waltz, or dance stage dances?
Is He Popenjoy?
Anthony Trollope

British Dictionary definitions for waltz

waltz

noun

a ballroom dance in triple time in which couples spin around as they progress round the room

a piece of music composed for or in the rhythm of this dance

verb

to dance or lead (someone) in or as in a waltzhe waltzed her off her feet

(intr) to move in a sprightly and self-assured manner

(intr) informal to succeed easily

Derived Formswaltzlike, adjective

Word Origin for waltz

C18: from German Walzer, from Middle High German walzen to roll; compare welter

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 waltz

dance performed to music in triple time, 1781, from German Waltzer, from walzen "to roll, dance," from Old High German walzan "to turn, roll," from Proto-Germanic *walt- (cf. Old Norse velta), from PIE root *wel- "to turn, revolve" (see volvox). Described in 1825 as "a riotous and indecent German dance."

1794, from waltz (n.). Meaning "to move nimbly" is recorded from 1862. Related: Waltzed; waltzing.