dance
to move one's feet or body, or both, rhythmically in a pattern of steps, especially to the accompaniment of music.
to leap, skip, etc., as from excitement or emotion; move nimbly or quickly: to dance with joy.
to bob up and down: The toy sailboats danced on the pond.
to perform or take part in (a dance): to dance a waltz.
to cause to dance: He danced her around the ballroom.
to cause to be in a specified condition by dancing: She danced her way to stardom.
a successive group of rhythmical steps or bodily motions, or both, usually executed to music.
an act or round of dancing; set: May I have this dance?
the art of dancing: to study dance.
a social gathering or party for dancing; ball: Was he invited to the dance?
a piece of music suited in rhythm or style to a particular form of dancing: He liked the composer's country dances.
Animal Behavior. a stylized pattern of movements performed by an animal, as a bird in courtship display, or an insect, as a honeybee in indicating a source of nectar.
the dance, ballet, interpretive dancing, and other dancing of an artistic nature performed by professional dancers before an audience.
Idioms about dance
dance attendance. attendance (def. 3).
dance on air, Slang. to be hanged.
dance to another tune, to change one's behavior, attitudes, etc.
Origin of dance
1Other words for dance
Other words from dance
- danc·ing·ly, adverb
- an·ti·danc·ing, adjective
- outdance, verb (used with object), out·danced, out·danc·ing.
- un·danc·ing, adjective
- well-danced, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use dance in a sentence
It was the very dirk he had won by his well-danced hornpipe on his voyage with M. Champlain.
Some Three Hundred Years Ago | Edith Gilman BrewsterThe minuet in vogue just then was well danced by but few persons.
Strange True Stories of Louisiana | George Washington Cable
British Dictionary definitions for dance
/ (dɑːns) /
(intr) to move the feet and body rhythmically, esp in time to music
(tr) to perform (a particular dance)
(intr) to skip or leap, as in joy, etc
to move or cause to move in a light rhythmic way
dance attendance on someone to attend someone solicitously or obsequiously
a series of rhythmic steps and movements, usually in time to music: Related adjective: Terpsichorean
an act of dancing
a social meeting arranged for dancing; ball
(as modifier): a dance hall
a piece of music in the rhythm of a particular dance form, such as a waltz
short for dance music (def. 2)
dancelike movements made by some insects and birds, esp as part of a behaviour pattern
lead someone a dance British informal to cause someone continued worry and exasperation; play up
Origin of dance
1Derived forms of dance
- danceable, adjective
- dancer, noun
- dancing, noun, adjective
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
Other Idioms and Phrases with dance
In addition to the idioms beginning with dance
- dance attendance on
- dance to another tune
also see:
- lead a chase (dance)
- song and dance
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
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