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

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

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

July 17, 1976 Gerald Ford, 38th President of the United States 1974-1977, dancing with Queen Elizabeth II at the ball at the White House, Washington, during the 1976 Bicentennial Celebrations of the Declaration of Independence. — Ciara Nugent, Time, "Here's How Every Meeting Between the Queen and a U.S. President Went," 12 July 2018 The campy Batman television show of the 1960s simultaneously mocked and embraced the idea of a wholesome hyper-competent hero who never parked illegally, but could still dance with the hip kids. — Noah Berlatsky, The Verge, "The best superhero stories admit that superheroes are ridiculous," 11 July 2018 Several women have posted videos of themselves dancing, with the hashtag #Dancing_isn’t_a_crime. — Katherine Lam, Fox News, "Iranian woman arrested after posting Instagram video of her dancing, prompting outrage among users," 10 July 2018 In Asmara the two leaders danced together side by side. — The Economist, "Ethiopia and Eritrea put an end to two decades of conflict," 10 July 2018 Even in the after life, when ain't a breath of me left Future doesn’t only dance with his internal conflicts on Beast Mode or Beast Mode 2. — Hannah Giorgis, The Atlantic, "The Cathartic Symphony of Future’s Beast Mode 2," 6 July 2018 Fergie also documented the beachside day on her Instagram stories, including dancing with apl.de.ap and hitting the bar with Taboo, who also shared a number of pictures from get-together featuring his children. — Stephanie Petit, PEOPLE.com, "Together Again! Fergie Reunites with Her Black Eyed Peas 'Fam' for July 4th Celebrations," 5 July 2018 Ariana post a video on her Instagram Story of herself dancing with an adorable animal filter. — Kayleigh Roberts, Marie Claire, "Ariana Grande Just Wore a Sweatshirt with Pete Davidson's Face on It," 30 June 2018 Part of that vacation featured Wade dancing with Union and others, though Union wrote that he was voted out of the group after this video. — Alysha Tsuji, For The Win, "Dwyane Wade showed off his dance moves while on vacation," 29 June 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

The cheerleading camp is one day of dance and one day of cheer. — Pat Disabato, Daily Southtown, "Disabato: Harvey native Keith Rucker 'about giving back and paying it forward' with youth football camp," 10 July 2018 During the eight weeks of summer readings, the library will offer programs such as craft workshops, music shows, a comedy and juggling show, reptiles and amphibians, a puppet show and hip hop dance and karate workshop. — Courant Community, "Community News For The Vernon Edition," 10 July 2018 Daniela Wancier, the school's assistant professor of dance within its Visual and Performing Arts department, was selected to present her program at the Movement and Cognition world conference. — Emily Bloch, Sun-Sentinel.com, "Broward College dance professor travels to Harvard," 10 July 2018 My plan is to not stiffle the kid in me... the kid that wants to do weird and wacky things, like dance and sing in my underwear, and go to water parks and build slip n slides in summer! — Wes Siler, Outside Online, "Doing It for the ‘Gram Turns Deadly," 9 July 2018 Our community dance helps improve dancers’ sense of well-being, builds social skills and confidence, and reduces a sense of isolation and exclusion. — Kerry Plummer, baltimoresun.com, "Dancing for better health [Marriottsville/Sykesville/Woodstock]," 6 July 2018 Catch the Era at Hamilton Park Cultural Center, 513 W. 72nd, on July 21, 2-5pm, for a curated night of youth dance and local footwork DJs. — Anna White, Chicago Reader, "Hip-Hop / Music Chicago's footwork community takes center stage at the MCA," 6 July 2018 Taste new delights around the globe, dance and drum in the streets with locals, and celebrate being together in new and exotic destinations. — Princess Cruises, Bon Appetit, "Set Sail for Adventure This Holiday Season," 2 July 2018 Sunday marks the beginning of another big traditional event, Reno's Artown, 31 days of concerts, exhibits, theatrical presentations, dance and all things art. — Mel Shields, sacbee, "Fireworks and music mesh at Lake Tahoe's dazzling fireworks shows," 29 June 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.