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cotillion

noun co·til·lion \ kō-ˈtil-yən , kə- \
variants: or less commonly cotillon play \kō-ˈtil-yən, kə-, kȯ-tē-(y)ōⁿ\
|Updated on: 15 Jul 2018

Definition of cotillion

1 : a ballroom dance for couples that resembles the quadrille
2 : an elaborate dance with frequent changing of partners carried out under the leadership of one couple at formal balls
3 : a formal ball

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Examples of cotillion in a Sentence

  1. young men hoping to meet the women of their dreams at the cotillion

Recent Examples of cotillion from the Web

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

Origin and Etymology of cotillion

French cotillon, literally, petticoat, from Old French, from cote coat

cotillion Synonyms

Synonyms

ball, dance, formal, hop, prom;

Related Words

blowout, celebration, event, festival, festivity, fete (or fête), gala, masquerade, mixer, party, reception, shindig, soiree (or soirée);

hoedown, square dance;

COTILLION Defined for English Language Learners

cotillion

noun

Definition of cotillion for English Language Learners

  • : a large formal party for dancing

Learn More about cotillion

  1. See words that rhyme with cotillion Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for cotillion Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about cotillion

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