dance

verb \ ˈdan(t)s , ˈdän(t)s \

Updated on: 22 Apr 2018

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

Fans of the Tejana superstar, Selena Quintanilla Perez spent the day dancing to her music and celebrating her legacy at Natividad Creek Park ahead of what would have been her 47th birthday.

— craig hlavaty, Houston Chronicle, "Remembering Selena's Astrodome performances on what would have been her 47th birthday," 16 Apr. 2018
Beyoncé's career-spanning, historic set at Coachella on Saturday night (April 14) had thousands of people dancing to her greatest hits -- and Rihanna was right up in front grooving along with them.

— hilary hughes, Billboard, "Rihanna Dances to Beyoncé's 'Countdown' From Coachella's Front Row: Watch," 15 Apr. 2018
Residents gathered in central squares and danced to patriotic songs, waving Syrian flags alongside those of Russia and Iran, Syria's allies in the fight against the anti-Assad rebellion.

— author: louisa loveluck, liz sly, Anchorage Daily News, "Assad is defiant as US-led strikes in Syria show no sign of threatening his hold on power," 15 Apr. 2018
In the first video, Adele — who was wearing a comfortable pair of sweatpants and a sweatshirt — danced around from side to side while holding a trumpet.

— maria pasquini, PEOPLE.com, "Dance Party! Adele Shakes at Home While Watching Beyoncé’s Historic Coachella Show," 15 Apr. 2018
Hours earlier, civilians and soldiers gathered in Ummayad Square in Damascus for a show of support, waving Syrian flags and dancing to songs that praised the army.

— anne gearan, Washington Post, "U.S. and allies warn Syria of more missile strikes if chemical attacks used again," 14 Apr. 2018
DJ Mad Marj) spun tracks while Vogue’s Hamish Bowles, Simon Huck, and Princess Olympia of Greece danced to a live performance from Rita Ora.

— edward barsamian, Vogue, "Dolce & Gabbana Closes Out Couture Celebrations With an Epic Bash," 10 Apr. 2018
Both Groves and Wilkenfeld have experienced a dizzying array of distractions while working, from dancing strippers to marijuana offerings.

— lynn q. yu, Los Angeles Magazine, "These Sign Language Interpreters Are Working Hard to Make Live Music More Accessible to All," 9 Apr. 2018
Others stayed on their feet, dancing to pop hits that were blaring from the speakers.

— erin mccarthy, Philly.com, "With another basketball championship, Villanova fans let loose," 3 Apr. 2018

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

in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

See Words from the same year

dance Synonyms

Synonyms

dart, flick, flicker, flirt, flit, flitter, flutter, zip;

Near Antonyms

float, hang, hover;

scamper, scud, scurry, scuttle, skip, skitter;

meander, ramble, roam, wander;

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

Her mother, the former Elka Heller, passed her serious cultural enthusiasms — including literature, dance, music and theater — to Linda, her precocious only child.

— roberta smith, New York Times, "Linda Nochlin, 86, Groundbreaking Feminist Art Historian, Is Dead," 1 Nov. 2017
Kelly has touched on serious subjects such as gun violence, at times, and broken out in dance, at others.

— callum borchers, Washington Post, "Megyn Kelly wanted to host a ‘fun’ show. Sexual harassment stories put her back in fierce mode.," 31 Oct. 2017
Also this week Classical music and dance Fall Dance Concert, Nov. 2-4, White Recital Hall.

— dan kelly, kansascity, "KC events Nov. 2-8: Garrison Keillor, Charlie Brown Christmas, Into the Woods | The Kansas City Star," 31 Oct. 2017
The six remaining couples will dance again on Nov. 4, performing trio dances with stars from previous seasons.

— mary colurso, AL.com, "Alabama's Jordan Fisher, Terrell Owens give viewers chills & thrills on 'Dancing with the Stars'," 30 Oct. 2017
Inspirational cultural gathering showcases multiple artistic forms including spoken word, music, dance, and visual art.

— rasputin todd, Cincinnati.com, "Things to do this week: Oct. 24-29," 23 Oct. 2017
The dance required me to hold a candle above my head, and I was terrified of setting the church on fire.

— Longreads, "My Half-Sister’s Half a Life," 18 Oct. 2017
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

Origin and Etymology of dance

see ¹dance

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

dance Synonyms

Synonyms

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

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

Examples of dance in a Sentence

Recent Examples of dance from the Web

Origin and Etymology of dance

dance Synonyms

Synonyms

Near Antonyms

Related Words

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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