dance

verb \ ˈdan(t)s , ˈdän(t)s \

Updated on: 9 Dec 2017

Definition of dance

danced; dancing

intransitive verb

1 : to move one's body rhythmically usually to music : to engage in or perform a dance (see ²dance 2)

dancing to our favorite song

Shall we dance?

2 : to move or seem to move up and down or about in a quick or lively manner

dance for joy

leaves dancing in the wind

transitive verb

1 : to perform or take part in as a dancer

dance the waltz

2 : to cause to dance

danced the baby on her knee

3 : to bring into a specified condition by dancing

danced his way into her heart

—

danceable

play \ˈdan(t)-sə-bəl\ adjective

—

dancer

noun

— dance attendance

: to attend in an eager and servile manner

a celebrity used to having people dance attendance on him

See dance defined for English-language learners

See dance defined for kids

Examples of dance in a Sentence

He never learned how to dance.
She has always loved to dance.
I like the song but it's really hard to dance to.
He danced her across the floor.
She dances with a famous ballet company.
She's a great actress, and she can dance and sing, too.

Recent Examples of dance from the Web

The couple’s video features not just familiar Boston — the Citgo neon over Kenmore Square, Quincy Market, Fenway Park — but, also, appearances by the B.U. mascot and the B.U. dance team, with pompons, dancing in choreographed step with the couple.

— nina reyes, New York Times, "For Love of Healthy Food and Justin Timberlake," 4 Nov. 2017
After 9/11, Muslims in and around Paterson reported that people screamed anti-Muslim insults and threw objects at them, particularly after false rumors spread that people were dancing in the streets to celebrate the attacks.

— Washington Post, "Muslims in NJ city fear another backlash after latest attack," 2 Nov. 2017
Ochos: Fri: Salsa dancing with beginner lesson 8:30-9:30 p.m., open dancing 9:30 p.m.-1 a.m., $8 includes lesson, $5 after 9:30 p.m. 515 W. Idaho St., Boise. 208-866-2640.

— idahostatesman, "Take in some live music in the Treasure Valley this week | Idaho Statesman," 2 Nov. 2017
On Monday, Will, Kate, and Harry attended a children's event at Paddington Station in London, where the Duchess was spotted dancing with Paddington Bear.

— maggie maloney, Town & Country, "Duchess Kate Makes Her Second Surprise Appearance This Week," 18 Oct. 2017
The Kansas City Ballet is using the same sets and costumes that were used in that fateful 1984 production in which Carney first danced the role of Romeo.

— patrick neas, kansascity, "KC Ballet’s ‘Romeo and Juliet’ adds new character; Muti returns with Chicago symphony," 7 Oct. 2017
The students paired up and worked on the basics, moving side to side and counting before dancing in a counterclockwise direction.

— nicole tsong, The Seattle Times, "It takes two to tango," 25 Sep. 2017
National Day celebrations included music, gender mixing Conservative backlash on social media criticizes display Saudi men and women danced in the streets of Riyadh this weekend as the Islamic kingdom celebrated its founding eight decades ago.

— vivian nereim, Bloomberg.com, "Some Saudis Danced on National Day. Others Want Order Restored," 25 Sep. 2017
In the middle of the pack, Willie Williams dances like a father at a neighborhood barbecue.

— james lynch, Popular Mechanics, "Every Night Perfect," 5 Sep. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'dance.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of dance

Middle English dauncen, from Anglo-French dancer

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

See Words from the same year

dance Synonyms

Synonyms

foot (it), hoof (it), step, shake a leg, trip the light fantastic

Related Words

prance, strut, trip; boogie (also boogy or boogey), bop, fox-trot, gavotte, jig, jitterbug, jive, mambo, polka, shag, shimmy, shuffle, tango, tap-dance, twist, waltz; tread

Near Antonyms

float, hang, hover

Other Dance Terms

attitude, honor, saltatory, sashay, taw

dance

noun, often attributive

Definition of dance

1 : an act or instance of moving one's body rhythmically usually to music : an act or instance of dancing (see ¹dance 1)

the couple's first dance as husband and wife

May I have this dance?

2 : a series of rhythmic and patterned bodily movements usually performed to music

slow dances

dance moves

3 : a social gathering for dancing

a high school dance

4 : a piece of music by which dancing may be guided

5 : the art of dancing

studied dance in college

See dance defined for English-language learners

Examples of dance in a Sentence

They can do all the popular dances.
The only dance he knows how to do is the twist.
How about one more dance?
He stopped right in the middle of the dance to tie his shoe.
He did a celebration dance in the end zone after scoring the touchdown.
She studied dance in college.

Recent Examples of dance from the Web

There’s a whole range of what that means: integrating African practices and symbols and iconography into Catholic life, or including Afro-Protestant practices like gospel music and liturgical dance.

— emma green, The Atlantic, "There Are More Black Catholics in the U.S. Than Members of the A.M.E. Church," 5 Nov. 2017
There will be two USO Variety Shows at 2:30 p.m. and 8 p.m. The Panther Band will play dance music and guests can enjoy free appetizers and a cash bar starting at 6:30 p.m. Inquire at 817-268-0388 or tapsntunes.com.

— faye reeder, star-telegram, "Massing of the Colors ceremony will honor U.S. flag and military service | Fort Worth Star-Telegram," 4 Nov. 2017
Csaba Horváth, the Hungarian artist who infuses drama with physical theater, dance, and performance art, honors and transforms Lorca’s tragedy.

— john timpane, Philly.com, "'Blood Wedding' at Wilma: Thrilling, brutalizing tragedy of passion and fate," 2 Nov. 2017
The most delightful component of the spectacular light show were the revolving mirrored disco balls at the ends of the arena, an old-school touch that emphasized Arcade Fire’s embrace of dance music.

— bill brownlee, kansascity, "Arcade Fire packs a punch at a boxing-themed concert in Independence," 28 Oct. 2017
So, will kissing Mike at the dance and seeing Max kiss Lucas alleviate the jealousy/irrational hatred? 5.

— kayleigh roberts, Marie Claire, "The 12 Biggest Unanswered Questions from 'Stranger Things' Season 2," 27 Oct. 2017
Art, culture, live dances and folkloric performances, music acts, fair food and cultural delicacies, a children's pavilion and a doggie booth from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. at Leujeune Road and Biltmore Way, Coral Gables.

— jennifer jhon, South Florida Parenting, "What to do with the kids this weekend: Pumpkins, pirates and mermaids," 18 Oct. 2017
After the safety fair, from 2:30 to 5 p.m., The Wild Nights Band — billed as Southern California’s premier rock and roll dance band — will perform in a benefit concert at Webb Park.

— elizabeth marie himchak, Rancho Bernardo, "Safety fair, benefit concert on Sunday will mark wildfire anniversary," 18 Oct. 2017
This year’s Fountain Square Music Festival is positively stacked with great indie rock, hip-hop and dance music.

— justin jacobs, Indianapolis Star, "Check out these concerts coming to Central Indiana in October," 25 Sep. 2017

Origin and Etymology of dance

see ¹dance

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

See Words from the same year

dance Synonyms

Synonyms

ball, cotillion (also cotillon), formal, hop, prom

Related Words

blowout, celebration, event, festival, festivity, fete (or fête), gala, masque (also mask), masquerade, mixer, party, reception, shindig, soiree (or soirée); hoedown, square dance

Other Dance Terms

attitude, honor, saltatory, sashay, taw

DANCE Defined for English Language Learners

dance

verb

Definition of dance for English Language Learners

: to move your body in a way that goes with the rhythm and style of music that is being played
: to move with and guide (someone) as music plays : to dance with (someone)
: to perform (a particular type of dance)

dance

noun

Definition of dance for English Language Learners

: a series of movements that are done as music is playing : a way of dancing
: an act of dancing
: the art or activity of dancing

DANCE Defined for Kids

dance

verb \ ˈdans \

Definition of dance for Students

danced; dancing

1 : to step or move through a series of movements usually in time to music

2 : to move about or up and down quickly and lightly

Butterflies danced in the garden.

—

dancer

noun

dance

noun

Definition of dance for Students

1 : an act of stepping or moving through a series of movements usually in time to music

2 : a social gathering for dancing

3 : a set of movements or steps for dancing usually in time to special music

The samba is a popular dance of Brazil.

4 : the art of dancing

She is studying dance.

Learn More about dance

See words that rhyme with dance Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for dance Spanish Central: Translation of dance Nglish: Translation of dance for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of dance for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about dance

Seen and Heard

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dance

Definition of dance

danceable

dancer

From the M-W Editors

Examples of dance in a Sentence

Recent Examples of dance from the Web

Origin and Etymology of dance

dance Synonyms

Synonyms

Related Words

Near Antonyms

Other Dance Terms

dance

Definition of dance

Examples of dance in a Sentence

Recent Examples of dance from the Web

Origin and Etymology of dance

dance Synonyms

Synonyms

Related Words

Other Dance Terms

Phrases Related to DANCE

Related Phrases

DANCE Defined for English Language Learners

dance

Definition of dance for English Language Learners

dance

Definition of dance for English Language Learners

DANCE Defined for Kids

dance

Definition of dance for Students

dancer

dance

Definition of dance for Students

Learn More about dance

Seen and Heard

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