waltz

[ wawlts ]

/ wɔlts /

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.

QUIZZES

DO YOU KNOW THIS VOCABULARY FROM "THE HANDMAID'S TALE"?

"The Handmaid's Tale" was required reading for many of us in school. Everyone else has probably watched the very popular and addictive TV show. Do you remember this vocabulary from the book, and do you know what these terms mean?

Question 1 of 10

decorum

the act of or need for making up one's mind.

dignified propriety of behavior, speech, dress, etc.

a company of singers, especially an organized group employed in church service.

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

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

waltz·er, nounwaltz·like, adjective

Words nearby waltz

walthamstow, walthard's cell rest, walther von der vogelweide, walton, walton and weybridge, waltz, waltz matilda, waltz-length, waltzed flap, waltzer, walvis bay

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Example sentences from the Web for 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|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
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|DAILY BEAST
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|DAILY BEAST

Waltz and the other actors mentioned declined comment via their reps.
Oscars' Effect on Stars' Careers|Marlow Stern|February 23, 2011|DAILY BEAST
The music has changed and some of the five hundred present are swinging in the waltz.
Twenty Years in Europe|Samuel H. M. Byers
I engage Madeleine for the first quadrille, and Bertha for the first waltz.
Fairy Fingers|Anna Cora Mowatt Ritchie
She jumped out of bed and, humming a popular tune, danced a waltz for them in her nightgown.
Comrade Yetta|Albert Edwards
In a remote corner a band of mandolins and guitars played the long, sweeping, mad melody of a Spanish waltz.
The Third Violet|Stephen Crane
The last objection swept away, Fernando began secretly to take lessons in the waltz, cotillon and other dances of the day.
Sustained honor|John R. Musick,

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

MEANINGS

WORD GAMES

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WORD OF THE DAY

waltz

noun

adjective

verb (used without object)

verb (used with object)

QUIZZES

DO YOU KNOW THIS VOCABULARY FROM "THE HANDMAID'S TALE"?

Origin of waltz

OTHER WORDS FROM waltz

Words nearby waltz

Example sentences from the Web for waltz

British Dictionary definitions for waltz

noun

verb

Derived forms of waltz

Word Origin for waltz

MEANINGS

WORD GAMES

LEARN

WRITING

WORD OF THE DAY

waltz

noun

adjective

verb (used without object)

verb (used with object)

QUIZZES

DO YOU KNOW THIS VOCABULARY FROM "THE HANDMAID'S TALE"?

Origin of waltz

OTHER WORDS FROM waltz

Words nearby waltz

Words related to waltz

Example sentences from the Web for waltz

British Dictionary definitions for waltz

noun

verb

Derived forms of waltz

Word Origin for waltz