First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
1dance
verb \ˈdan(t)s, ˈdän(t)s\
: to move your body in a way that goes with the rhythm and style of music that is being played
: to move with and guide (someone) as music plays : to dance with (someone)
: to perform (a particular type of dance)
danceddanc·ing
Full Definition of DANCE
intransitive verb
1
: to engage in or perform a dance
2
: to move or seem to move up and down or about in a quick or lively manner
transitive verb
1
: to perform or take part in as a dancer
2
: to cause to dance
3
: to bring into a specified condition by dancing
— dance·able \ˈdan(t)-sə-bəl\ adjective
— danc·er noun
— dance attendance
: to attend in an eager and servile manner <a celebrity used to having people dance attendance on him>
See dance defined for English-language learners
See dance defined for kids
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Origin of DANCE
Middle English dauncen, from Anglo-French dancer
2dance
noun, often attributive
: a series of movements that are done as music is playing : a way of dancing
: an act of dancing
: the art or activity of dancing
Full Definition of DANCE
1
: 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
See dance defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of DANCE
14th century
DANCE Defined for Kids
1dance
verb \ˈdans\
danceddanc·ing
Definition of DANCE for Kids
1
: to step or move through a series of movements usually in time to music
2
: to move about or up and down quickly and lightly <Butterflies danced in the garden.>
— danc·er noun
2dance
noun
Definition of DANCE for Kids
1
: an act of stepping or moving through a series of movements usually in time to music
2
: a social gathering for dancing
3
: a set of movements or steps for dancing usually in time to special music <The samba is a popular dance of Brazil.>
4
: the art of dancing <She is studying dance.>
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