waltz

1 of 2

noun

ˈwȯl(t)s 

1

: a ballroom dance in ³/₄ time with strong accent on the first beat and a basic pattern of step-step-close

2

: music for a waltz or a concert composition in ³/₄ time

waltz

2 of 2

verb

waltzed; waltzing; waltzes

intransitive verb

1

: to dance a waltz

2

: to move or advance in a lively or conspicuous manner : flounce

3

a

: to advance easily and successfully : breeze

—often used with through

b

: to approach boldly

—used with up

can't just waltz up and introduce ourselves

transitive verb

1

: to dance a waltz with

2

: to grab and lead (someone) unceremoniously : march

waltzer noun

Examples of waltz in a Sentence

Noun

They danced a waltz together.

Johann Strauss wrote many beautiful waltzes.

Verb

He waltzed with his daughter at her wedding.

He waltzed her around the dance floor.

He came waltzing into the room.

She waltzed right up to him and introduced herself.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

In Denmark, the royal wedding features a traditional waltz that’s supposed to take place before midnight. —Bailey Bujnosek, InStyle, 11 Apr. 2026

Lisiecki gentled his way through a Brahms waltz for an encore. —Steven Winn, San Francisco Chronicle, 21 Mar. 2026

Verb

The intuitive Moon is waltzing through your sign, partnering with innovative Uranus in your creativity zone along the way. —Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 10 Apr. 2026

Some say his solo effort against Manchester City in 2021 was the pinnacle, when the winger waltzed past one of the best defenses in the world before prodding his shot into the side-netting. —Ben Church, CNN Money, 25 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

borrowed from German Walzer, from walzen "to turn from one side to another, roll" (going back to Middle High German, "to roll over") + -er -er entry 2 — more at welter entry 1

Verb

derivative of waltz entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

1781, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

circa 1794, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Phrases Containing waltz

• waltz off with

Rhymes for waltz

• faults
• halts
• malts
• salts
• vaults
• asphalts
• assaults
• basalts
• defaults
• exalts
• somersaults
• thunderbolts

Kids Definition

waltz

1 of 2 noun

ˈwȯl(t)s 

: a ballroom dance in ¾ time with strong accent on the first beat

also : music for a waltz

waltz

2 of 2 verb

1

a

: to dance a waltz

b

: to dance a waltz with

2

a

: to proceed easily and successfully : breeze

waltzed through the test

b

: to approach boldly

can't just waltz up and introduce ourselves