dance

verb

\ ˈdan(t)s

, ˈdän(t)s\

danced; dancing

Definition of dance

(Entry 1 of 2)

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

dance attendance

: to attend in an eager and servile manner a celebrity used to having people dance attendance on him

dance

noun, often attributive

Definition of dance (Entry 2 of 2)

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

Other Words from dance Synonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about dance

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Synonyms for dance

Synonyms: Verb

foot (it), hoof (it), step

Synonyms: Noun

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

Examples of dance in a Sentence

Verb

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.

Noun

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 on the Web: Verb

Its characters, mastered by women and indecipherable to men, appear in thin, downward-slanting wisps, like spider legs dancing across paper. — Vogue, "This All-Female DJ Collective Wants to Empower the Women of Shanghai’s Nocturnal World," 15 May 2019 Meanwhile, Kendall Vertes has been busy acting, and Payton Ackerman is living and dancing in Los Angeles. — Blake Bakkila, Good Housekeeping, "Everything We Know About 'Dance Moms' Season 8," 14 May 2019 In the second, the fisherman’s aggression is gradually dispelled into sympathy, and as the angel dances for him, the music grows lighter and brighter, finally evaporating into a ringing echo. — Heidi Waleson, WSJ, "‘Only the Sound Remains’ Review: Ethereal Yet Earthbound," 20 Nov. 2018 Ethyl was a loyal friend and trusted confidant, and loved children, music, dancing, and family gatherings. — OrlandoSentinel.com, "Deaths in Central Florida: 7/5," 5 July 2018 An assistant used a towel to repeatedly sweep cash from the stage floor as Daniels danced. — Tim Evans, Indianapolis Star, "Stormy Daniels reveals much, but doesn't dish on Trump at Indianapolis' Pony strip club," 20 June 2018 The mood was light as the players danced and smiled, getting loose before taking on the defending champions. — Kelli Stacy, courant.com, "Youth Keeps Connecticut Sun Fresh Amid Hectic Travel Stretch," 10 June 2018 Bad Things, rocked out in a tux, and then ended the night by slow-dancing with Carly. — Jasmine Gomez, Seventeen, "10 Epic Celebrity Promposals You Need to See Now," 11 Apr. 2019 When Queen Elizabeth visited Ghana—and danced with their president—amidst uncertainties between Ghana, England, and the Soviet Union. — Elise Taylor, Vogue, "Prince Harry and Meghan Markle Are About to Go on Another International Adventure," 8 Feb. 2019

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

On a Thursday morning in April, Manhattan's Cipriani 42nd street is jarringly empty, a wide open dance floor and several un-set folding tables the only occupants of the spectacular, vaulted room. — Hadley Keller, House Beautiful, "See How 32 Designers Transform a Dining Room in Just a Few Hours," 3 May 2019 Rent the Runway kicked off the launch of their kids’ service with a carnival-themed party, complete with stilt walkers, a dance floor, face painting, and Mommy-and-me jean jacket embroidery station. — Annemarie Conte, Woman's Day, "Rent the Runway Kids Is Launching Next Week, and Your Daughters' Clothes Just Got 100% Cooler," 8 Apr. 2019 An otherwise casual person who wears scrubs to work, Nate looked smoking hot in a suit, complimented my outfit, was gracious to the newlyweds and their family, fetched drinks for my friends, and even spun a grandma around the dance floor. 2. — Anne Roderique-jones, SELF, "15 Lessons I’ve Learned in 15 Years of Marriage," 8 Jan. 2019 Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images Elon Musk is finally facing some consequences for his August take-Tesla-private dance. — Emily Stewart, Vox, "Elon Musk is out as Tesla chairman," 30 Sep. 2018 At last night’s Youth America Grand Prix 20th Anniversary Gala, New York’s creative community honored the future of dance and the sisters were front and center. — Janelle Okwodu, Vogue, "Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen Make a Rare Red Carpet Appearance," 19 Apr. 2019 And when your plant needs to be watered, the Hexa will do a cute thirsty dance to get your attention. — Ann Lien, House Beautiful, "The Hexa Is Like Your Dream Robot Gardener," 19 Apr. 2019 Last year, Jason and Kendyl attended a father-daughter dance at her school and showed up decked out in costume to fit the '80s theme. — Kelly O'sullivan, Country Living, "Everything You Need to Know About Jason Aldean and Brittany Kerr's Children," 6 Apr. 2019 Disappointment ran especially high when the annual school dance, a highlight of the year, had to be put off. — Nina Shapiro, The Seattle Times, "Fear, resentment — and more demand for vaccines as one Washington county grapples with measles outbreak," 1 Apr. 2019

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.