waltz

American  

[wawlts] / wɔlts /

noun

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

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

3. Informal. an easy victory or accomplishment.

   The game was a waltz—we won by four touchdowns. The math exam was a waltz.

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adjective

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

   waltz tempo.

verb (used without object)

1. to dance or move in a waltz step or rhythm.

   an invitation to waltz.

2. Informal.

   1. to move breezily or casually.

      to waltz in late for dinner.

   2. to progress easily or successfully (often followed bythrough ).

      to waltz through an exam.

verb (used with object)

1. to lead (a partner) in dancing a waltz.

2. Informal. to move or lead briskly and easily.

   He waltzed us right into the governor's office.

3. to fill (a period of time) with waltzing (often followed by away, through, etc.).

   They waltzed the night away.

waltz British  

/ wɔːls /

noun

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

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

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verb

1. to dance or lead (someone) in or as in a waltz

   he waltzed her off her feet

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

3. informal (intr) to succeed easily

Other Word Forms

• waltzer noun
• waltzlike adjective

Etymology

Origin of waltz

1775–85; back formation from German Walzer a waltz (taken as walz + -er ¹ ), derivative of walzen to roll, dance; compare obsolete English walt unsteady, dial. walter to roll

Example Sentences

They were waltzing to the strains of ‘Build Me a Bower of Moonbeams’.

From Literature

A group of break dancers waltzed through the stage as rapper Shaboozey joined Caton in the vocals, who used a guitar similar to the one his character used in the movie.

From Los Angeles Times

In Verdi’s hands the waltz is no mere set piece articulating place and time, but a throughline central to the realism at the heart of the work.

From The Wall Street Journal

“Well, I can’t just waltz in at the last second,” I say.

From Literature

Vargas Llosa intersperses the story with nimbly delivered informational chapters explaining the history and influences of the Peruvian vals, or waltz, which synthesizes European and indigenous musical styles.

From The Wall Street Journal