danced; dancing
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
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
dancer
noun
often attributive
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
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
Louisa Thomas, New Yorker, 14 July 2025
The soccer is the show, and fans provide music with their vocal cords and dancing with their hips.
—Miami Herald, 14 July 2025
Daniel S. Levine, People.com, 1 July 2025
The section, which will highlight theater, dance, music, art exhibits, festivals and other cultural events planned for the 2025-26 season, will be published online at OrlandoSentinel.com at the end of August and in the print newspaper’s Aug. 29 Calendar sections.
—Matthew J. Palm, The Orlando Sentinel, 30 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for dance
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Verb
Alcaraz hit a deep defensive shot and recovered quickly, dancing across the court with fleet little steps, and ran around his backhand to hit a forehand down the line.
—Louisa Thomas, New Yorker, 14 July 2025
The soccer is the show, and fans provide music with their vocal cords and dancing with their hips.
—Miami Herald, 14 July 2025
Noun
The two stars looked alike, even dressing in head-to-toe black as James showed off his dance moves.
—Daniel S. Levine, People.com, 1 July 2025
The section, which will highlight theater, dance, music, art exhibits, festivals and other cultural events planned for the 2025-26 season, will be published online at OrlandoSentinel.com at the end of August and in the print newspaper’s Aug. 29 Calendar sections.
—Matthew J. Palm, The Orlando Sentinel, 30 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for dance
Cite this Entry
“Dance.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dance. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
dance
1 of 2 verb
danced; dancing
1
: to engage in or perform a dance
2
: to move quickly up and down or about
3
: to perform or take part in as a dancer
dancer
noun
dance
2 of 2 noun1
: an act or instance of dancing
2
: a series of rhythmic and patterned bodily movements usually performed to music
3
: a social gathering for dancing
4
: a piece of music by which dancing may be guided
5
: the art of dancing
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