Shobdo Logo
MWdance

dance

Flag: gbEnglishMerriam-Webster Dictionary

dance
verb
ˈdan(t)s ˈdän(t)s
danced; danc​ing

Definition (Entry 1 of 2)

  • intransitive ​verb
  • 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?
  • 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
  • to perform or take part in as a dancer //dance the waltz
  • to cause to dance //danced the baby on her knee
  • 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
noun, often attributive

Definition (Entry 2 of 2)

  • 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?
  • a series of rhythmic and patterned bodily movements usually performed to music //slow dances //dance moves
  • a social gathering for dancing //a high school dance
  • a piece of music by which dancing may be guided
  • the art of dancing //studied dance in college
Other Words
Verb
  • dance​able ˈdan(t)-sə-bəl adjective
  • danc​er noun
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms: Verb
foot (it) hoof (it) step
Synonyms: Noun
ball cotillion (also cotillon) formal hop prom
Examples
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.
First Known Use
Verb
14th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1
Noun
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
History and Etymology
Verb and Noun
Middle English dauncen, from Anglo-French dancer
dance
verb

Synonyms (Entry 1 of 2)

noun

Synonyms (Entry 2 of 2)


dance
verb
ˈdan(t)s ˈdän(t)s
danced; danc​ing

Definition (Entry 1 of 2)

  • intransitive ​verb
  • 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?
  • 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
  • to perform or take part in as a dancer //dance the waltz
  • to cause to dance //danced the baby on her knee
  • 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
noun, often attributive

Definition (Entry 2 of 2)

  • 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?
  • a series of rhythmic and patterned bodily movements usually performed to music //slow dances //dance moves
  • a social gathering for dancing //a high school dance
  • a piece of music by which dancing may be guided
  • the art of dancing //studied dance in college
Other Words
Verb
  • dance​able ˈdan(t)-sə-bəl adjective
  • danc​er noun
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms: Verb
foot (it) hoof (it) step
Synonyms: Noun
ball cotillion (also cotillon) formal hop prom
Examples
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.
First Known Use
Verb
14th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1
Noun
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
History and Etymology
Verb and Noun
Middle English dauncen, from Anglo-French dancer
dance
verb

Synonyms (Entry 1 of 2)

noun

Synonyms (Entry 2 of 2)


dance
verb
ˈdan(t)s ˈdän(t)s
danced; danc​ing

Definition (Entry 1 of 2)

  • intransitive ​verb
  • 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?
  • 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
  • to perform or take part in as a dancer //dance the waltz
  • to cause to dance //danced the baby on her knee
  • 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
noun, often attributive

Definition (Entry 2 of 2)

  • 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?
  • a series of rhythmic and patterned bodily movements usually performed to music //slow dances //dance moves
  • a social gathering for dancing //a high school dance
  • a piece of music by which dancing may be guided
  • the art of dancing //studied dance in college
Other Words
Verb
  • dance​able ˈdan(t)-sə-bəl adjective
  • danc​er noun
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms: Verb
foot (it) hoof (it) step
Synonyms: Noun
ball cotillion (also cotillon) formal hop prom
Examples
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.
First Known Use
Verb
14th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1
Noun
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
History and Etymology
Verb and Noun
Middle English dauncen, from Anglo-French dancer
dance
verb

Synonyms (Entry 1 of 2)

noun

Synonyms (Entry 2 of 2)


dance
verb
ˈdan(t)s ˈdän(t)s
danced; danc​ing

Definition (Entry 1 of 2)

  • intransitive ​verb
  • 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?
  • 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
  • to perform or take part in as a dancer //dance the waltz
  • to cause to dance //danced the baby on her knee
  • 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
noun, often attributive

Definition (Entry 2 of 2)

  • 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?
  • a series of rhythmic and patterned bodily movements usually performed to music //slow dances //dance moves
  • a social gathering for dancing //a high school dance
  • a piece of music by which dancing may be guided
  • the art of dancing //studied dance in college
Other Words
Verb
  • dance​able ˈdan(t)-sə-bəl adjective
  • danc​er noun
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms: Verb
foot (it) hoof (it) step
Synonyms: Noun
ball cotillion (also cotillon) formal hop prom
Examples
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.
First Known Use
Verb
14th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1
Noun
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
History and Etymology
Verb and Noun
Middle English dauncen, from Anglo-French dancer
dance
verb

Synonyms (Entry 1 of 2)

noun

Synonyms (Entry 2 of 2)


dance
verb
ˈdan(t)s ˈdän(t)s
danced; danc​ing

Definition (Entry 1 of 2)

  • intransitive ​verb
  • 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?
  • 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
  • to perform or take part in as a dancer //dance the waltz
  • to cause to dance //danced the baby on her knee
  • 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
noun, often attributive

Definition (Entry 2 of 2)

  • 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?
  • a series of rhythmic and patterned bodily movements usually performed to music //slow dances //dance moves
  • a social gathering for dancing //a high school dance
  • a piece of music by which dancing may be guided
  • the art of dancing //studied dance in college
Other Words
Verb
  • dance​able ˈdan(t)-sə-bəl adjective
  • danc​er noun
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms: Verb
foot (it) hoof (it) step
Synonyms: Noun
ball cotillion (also cotillon) formal hop prom
Examples
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.
First Known Use
Verb
14th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1
Noun
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
History and Etymology
Verb and Noun
Middle English dauncen, from Anglo-French dancer
dance
verb

Synonyms (Entry 1 of 2)

noun

Synonyms (Entry 2 of 2)


dance
verb
ˈdan(t)s ˈdän(t)s
danced; danc​ing

Definition (Entry 1 of 2)

  • intransitive ​verb
  • 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?
  • 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
  • to perform or take part in as a dancer //dance the waltz
  • to cause to dance //danced the baby on her knee
  • 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
noun, often attributive

Definition (Entry 2 of 2)

  • 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?
  • a series of rhythmic and patterned bodily movements usually performed to music //slow dances //dance moves
  • a social gathering for dancing //a high school dance
  • a piece of music by which dancing may be guided
  • the art of dancing //studied dance in college
Other Words
Verb
  • dance​able ˈdan(t)-sə-bəl adjective
  • danc​er noun
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms: Verb
foot (it) hoof (it) step
Synonyms: Noun
ball cotillion (also cotillon) formal hop prom
Examples
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.
First Known Use
Verb
14th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1
Noun
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
History and Etymology
Verb and Noun
Middle English dauncen, from Anglo-French dancer
dance
verb

Synonyms (Entry 1 of 2)

noun

Synonyms (Entry 2 of 2)


dance
verb
ˈdan(t)s ˈdän(t)s
danced; danc​ing

Definition (Entry 1 of 2)

  • intransitive ​verb
  • 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?
  • 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
  • to perform or take part in as a dancer //dance the waltz
  • to cause to dance //danced the baby on her knee
  • 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
noun, often attributive

Definition (Entry 2 of 2)

  • 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?
  • a series of rhythmic and patterned bodily movements usually performed to music //slow dances //dance moves
  • a social gathering for dancing //a high school dance
  • a piece of music by which dancing may be guided
  • the art of dancing //studied dance in college
Other Words
Verb
  • dance​able ˈdan(t)-sə-bəl adjective
  • danc​er noun
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms: Verb
foot (it) hoof (it) step
Synonyms: Noun
ball cotillion (also cotillon) formal hop prom
Examples
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.
First Known Use
Verb
14th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1
Noun
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
History and Etymology
Verb and Noun
Middle English dauncen, from Anglo-French dancer
dance
verb

Synonyms (Entry 1 of 2)

noun

Synonyms (Entry 2 of 2)


dance
verb
ˈdan(t)s ˈdän(t)s
danced; danc​ing

Definition (Entry 1 of 2)

  • intransitive ​verb
  • 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?
  • 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
  • to perform or take part in as a dancer //dance the waltz
  • to cause to dance //danced the baby on her knee
  • 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
noun, often attributive

Definition (Entry 2 of 2)

  • 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?
  • a series of rhythmic and patterned bodily movements usually performed to music //slow dances //dance moves
  • a social gathering for dancing //a high school dance
  • a piece of music by which dancing may be guided
  • the art of dancing //studied dance in college
Other Words
Verb
  • dance​able ˈdan(t)-sə-bəl adjective
  • danc​er noun
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms: Verb
foot (it) hoof (it) step
Synonyms: Noun
ball cotillion (also cotillon) formal hop prom
Examples
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.
First Known Use
Verb
14th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1
Noun
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
History and Etymology
Verb and Noun
Middle English dauncen, from Anglo-French dancer
dance
verb

Synonyms (Entry 1 of 2)

noun

Synonyms (Entry 2 of 2)


dance
verb
ˈdan(t)s ˈdän(t)s
danced; danc​ing

Definition (Entry 1 of 2)

  • intransitive ​verb
  • 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?
  • 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
  • to perform or take part in as a dancer //dance the waltz
  • to cause to dance //danced the baby on her knee
  • 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
noun, often attributive

Definition (Entry 2 of 2)

  • 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?
  • a series of rhythmic and patterned bodily movements usually performed to music //slow dances //dance moves
  • a social gathering for dancing //a high school dance
  • a piece of music by which dancing may be guided
  • the art of dancing //studied dance in college
Other Words
Verb
  • dance​able ˈdan(t)-sə-bəl adjective
  • danc​er noun
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms: Verb
foot (it) hoof (it) step
Synonyms: Noun
ball cotillion (also cotillon) formal hop prom
Examples
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.
First Known Use
Verb
14th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1
Noun
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
History and Etymology
Verb and Noun
Middle English dauncen, from Anglo-French dancer
dance
verb

Synonyms (Entry 1 of 2)

noun

Synonyms (Entry 2 of 2)


dance
verb
ˈdan(t)s ˈdän(t)s
danced; danc​ing

Definition (Entry 1 of 2)

  • intransitive ​verb
  • 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?
  • 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
  • to perform or take part in as a dancer //dance the waltz
  • to cause to dance //danced the baby on her knee
  • 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
noun, often attributive

Definition (Entry 2 of 2)

  • 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?
  • a series of rhythmic and patterned bodily movements usually performed to music //slow dances //dance moves
  • a social gathering for dancing //a high school dance
  • a piece of music by which dancing may be guided
  • the art of dancing //studied dance in college
Other Words
Verb
  • dance​able ˈdan(t)-sə-bəl adjective
  • danc​er noun
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms: Verb
foot (it) hoof (it) step
Synonyms: Noun
ball cotillion (also cotillon) formal hop prom
Examples
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.
First Known Use
Verb
14th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1
Noun
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
History and Etymology
Verb and Noun
Middle English dauncen, from Anglo-French dancer
dance
verb

Synonyms (Entry 1 of 2)

noun

Synonyms (Entry 2 of 2)


dance
verb
ˈdan(t)s ˈdän(t)s
danced; danc​ing

Definition (Entry 1 of 2)

  • intransitive ​verb
  • 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?
  • 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
  • to perform or take part in as a dancer //dance the waltz
  • to cause to dance //danced the baby on her knee
  • 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
noun, often attributive

Definition (Entry 2 of 2)

  • 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?
  • a series of rhythmic and patterned bodily movements usually performed to music //slow dances //dance moves
  • a social gathering for dancing //a high school dance
  • a piece of music by which dancing may be guided
  • the art of dancing //studied dance in college
Other Words
Verb
  • dance​able ˈdan(t)-sə-bəl adjective
  • danc​er noun
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms: Verb
foot (it) hoof (it) step
Synonyms: Noun
ball cotillion (also cotillon) formal hop prom
Examples
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.
First Known Use
Verb
14th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1
Noun
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
History and Etymology
Verb and Noun
Middle English dauncen, from Anglo-French dancer
dance
verb

Synonyms (Entry 1 of 2)

noun

Synonyms (Entry 2 of 2)

dance — MW · Shobdo