Definition of dance - Reverso English Dictionary
Verb
1.
musictr./intr. move rhythmically to musictr./intr.
- She loves to dance at parties.
2.
movementtr./intr. perform a set of choreographed steps with your bodytr./intr.
- They danced the tango beautifully.
3.
light movementintr. move lightly and quicklyintr.
- The leaves danced in the wind.
4.
cause movementtr. cause someone or something to move rhythmicallytr.
- He danced the puppet across the stage.
Noun
1.
musicsequence of rhythmic steps to music
- The couple performed a beautiful dance at the wedding.
2.
social gatheringevent where people gather to move to music
- The school is hosting a dance on Friday night..
3.
artartistic form of nonverbal communication
- She studied dance at the university.
4.
musicgenre of music with repetitive rhythms
- He loves listening to dance on the radio.
5.
music piecepiece of music with dance rhythm
- The orchestra played a lively dance.
6.
beesTECH. repetitive movement in bee communicationTECH.
- The bee performed a dance to signal food.
7.
heraldryDated zig-zag stripe on a coat of armsDated
- The knight's shield featured a dance.
Images of dance

zig-zag stripe on a coat of arms
Expressions with dance
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wedding dance where guests pay to dance with bride or groom
During the money dance, guests lined up to dance with the bride.
schedule of appointments or engagements
My dance card is full this week with meetings.
traditional Japanese drama with singing and dancing
We watched a Kabuki dance performance in Tokyo.
move in sync with another's music or beat
She danced to his rhythm at the concert.
dance continuously all night
They decided to dance the night away at the club.
change behavior or attitude in a noticeably new or unusual way
After the criticism, he began to dance to a different tune.
change usual opinion or way of acting in a clear new direction
After the scandal, the senator began to dance to a new tune.
do something for very little money or cost
He bought the car for a song and a dance.
start dancing in a lively way at a party or event
Let's hit the dance floor and show our moves!
avoid discussing a problem directly
He tends to dance around the issue instead of giving a straight answer.
follow someone's instructions or desires
She always dances to her boss's tune at work.
avoid giving a direct answer
He tried to tap dance around the issue during the meeting.
celebrate openly and joyfully in public
The fans danced in the streets after the team won the championship.
to be extremely happy or elated
She was dancing on air after hearing the good news.
show joy at someone's misfortune
She seemed to dance on his grave after he was fired.
follow someone's rules or demands
He always dances to the tune of his boss.
waste someone's time with complex tasks
She led him a dance with endless errands.
unnecessary excitement or activity
He made a song and dance about the small delay.
change behavior to match different situations or people
He dances to different tunes depending on who is in charge.
engage in risky activities knowingly
He loves to dance with danger by climbing cliffs.
engage in risky or dangerous activities
He likes to dance with death by climbing cliffs without safety gear.
engage in risky or dangerous behavior
He knew he was dancing with the devil by getting involved in illegal activities.
follow another person's rules or way of doing things
He always dances to his boss's beat at work.
act very eager to please or serve someone important
He danced attendance on the boss all day.
Origin of dance
Old French, dancier (to dance)
Terms with dance included in their meaning
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entertainment
play, dance, or other entertainment
music party
social event where people dance
dance
classical form of dance with precise steps
dance
competitive or recreational couple dancing
dance
Middle Eastern dance with hip and abdomen movements
sports
physical activity combining dance, gymnastics, and tumbling
sports
connected with team support, dance routines, and crowd encouragement
dance
line of people dancing the conga
dance
one of a pair of people dancing together
education
place where dance classes are taught
music
genre of dance music from the 1970s
music
genre of dance music with strong beats and synthesizers
desire
want to dance
dance
group dance with synchronized steps in lines
entertainment
genre combining spoken dialogue, song, and dance
music dance
not following a regular or expected pattern of beats
event
formal dance event at a school
theatre event
live public performance with acting, music or dance on a platform
dance
ballroom dance of Latin-American origin
music
dance with a partner in close, rhythmic Argentine style
performance
act of performing tap dance
performing arts
dance style using shoes fitted with metal taps to make rhythmic sounds
dance
tap-dancer
dance
spin around quickly and smoothly
Examples of dance in a sentence
He decided to dance to his favorite song in the living room. She danced the waltz with grace and elegance. He danced the salsa with incredible energy. The butterflies danced around the garden. Sunlight danced on the surface of the lake. The music made her dance the scarf in the air.
He danced the toy car along the table. We learned a traditional dance in class. That dance begins with three quick steps. They met at a dance last summer. The community center organized a dance for the teens. The dance was beautifully choreographed. He expressed emotions through dance. Dance is popular in nightclubs. She has a vast collection of dance CDs. The pianist performed a delicate dance. This dance opens the final suite. The intricate dance of the bees was mesmerizing to watch. Scientists studied the dance to understand bee communication. The family crest displayed a bold dance. A dance adorned the ancient banner.
View all translations of dance
Click below to see the appropriate translations facing each meaning.
- French:danser, danse, ...
- German:tanzen, Tanz, ...
- Italian:ballare, danza, ...
- Spanish:bailar, baile, ...
- Portuguese:dançar, dança, ...
- Chinese:跳舞, 舞蹈, ...
- Japanese:踊る, ダンス, ...
- Arabic:رَقَصَ, رَقْصَة, ...
- Hebrew:לִרְקוֹד, רִקּוּד, ...
- Russian:танцевать, танец, ...
- Ukrainian:танцювати, танець, ...
- Hindi:नाचना, नृत्य, ...
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