waltz

[ wawlts ]

/ wɔlts /

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See synonyms for: waltz / waltzed / waltzing 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.

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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

OTHER WORDS FROM waltz

waltzer, nounwaltzlike, adjective

Words nearby waltz

Walthamstow, Walthard's cell rest, Walther von der Vogelweide, Walton, Walton and Weybridge, waltz, waltzed flap, waltzer, waltz-length, waltz Matilda, Walvis Bay

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use waltz in a sentence

A memorable one was organized in part by opera star Beverly Sills in 1978 and involved a lot of waltzes and fox trots.
Not all presidents’ dance skills are created equal|Bonnie Berkowitz, Joanne Lee|January 21, 2021|Washington Post
The former first lady Michelle Obama waltzed into today’s inauguration wearing a Sergio Hudson trench coat 3-piece-set.
Shop Michelle Obama’s Sergio Hudson Inauguration Look|Nandi Howard|January 20, 2021|Essence.com
Florida learned a thing or two over the weekend about assuming you can just waltz in and win.
The Secret To Winning Is Not To Play|Sarah Shachat|December 15, 2020|FiveThirtyEight
Four plays later, Wayne Gallman waltzed untouched into the end zone for a two-yard touchdown.
Four takeaways from Washington’s 23-20 loss to the Giants|Scott Allen|November 8, 2020|Washington Post

Doc Rivers was fired Monday as head coach of the Los Angeles Clippers, after their expected waltz to the championship went up in smoke.
The NBA Finals Burst the Analytics Bubble|Joshua Eferighe|September 29, 2020|Ozy
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|DAILY BEAST
Imagine live performances that feel like The Last Waltz and mob scenes that feel like Goodfellas.
‘Jersey Boys’ Proves Clint Eastwood is Hollywood’s Most Overrated Director|Andrew Romano|June 20, 2014|DAILY BEAST
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|DAILY BEAST
Later—especially on The Last Waltz—Robbie became a bit of a showboat.
The Band’s ‘Rock of Ages’ Is the Greatest Live Album Ever|Andrew Romano|October 14, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Before the Flood (1974) and The Last Waltz (recorded 1976) have their partisans.
The Band’s ‘Rock of Ages’ Is the Greatest Live Album Ever|Andrew Romano|October 14, 2013|DAILY BEAST
She played very well, keeping excellent waltz time and infusing an expression into the strains which was indeed inspiring.
The Awakening and Selected Short Stories|Kate Chopin
At this moment the strains of Arditi's immortal waltz, "Il Bacio," resounded through the place.
The Pit Town Coronet, Volume I (of 3)|Charles James Wills
As soon, however, as T. or anybody thrums a waltz on the piano, he instantly throws himself into the attitude to dance.
Music-Study in Germany|Amy Fay
For the first time in his life Gwynne felt self-conscious in putting his arm about a woman's waist for the waltz.
Ancestors|Gertrude Atherton
When the waltz is over they stroll out with them into the garden, and order wine, and talk of changing their steamer date.
The Real Latin Quarter|F. Berkeley Smith

British Dictionary definitions for waltz

waltz

/ (wɔːls) /

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 forms of waltz

waltzlike, 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

waltz

Origin of waltz

OTHER WORDS FROM waltz

Words nearby waltz

Words related to waltz

How to use waltz in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for waltz

Derived forms of waltz

Word Origin for waltz