1 dance
Pronounced:
/ˈdæns, Brit ˈdɑ:ns/
Function:
verbInflected forms:
danc·es; danced; danc·ingMeaning:
1 a [no obj] : to move your body in a way that goes with the rhythm and style of music that is being played ▪ He never learned how to dance. ▪ She has always loved to dance. ▪ I like the song but it's really hard to dance to. ▪ Would you like to dance with me? = (more formally) Shall we dance? ▪ We danced the night away. [=we danced the entire evening] b [+ obj] : to move with and guide (someone) as music plays : to dance with (someone) ▪ He danced her across the floor.
2 [+ obj] : to perform (a particular type of dance) ▪ dancing the waltz/polka/twist
3 [no obj] : to perform as a dancer ▪ She dances with a famous ballet company. ▪ She's a great actress, and she can dance and sing, too.
4 [no obj] : to move quickly up and down, from side to side, etc. ▪ We danced for joy when we heard the news. ▪ He sat watching the leaves dancing in the breeze. ▪ The boxer danced around his opponent.
2 [+ obj] : to perform (a particular type of dance) ▪ dancing the waltz/polka/twist
3 [no obj] : to perform as a dancer ▪ She dances with a famous ballet company. ▪ She's a great actress, and she can dance and sing, too.
4 [no obj] : to move quickly up and down, from side to side, etc. ▪ We danced for joy when we heard the news. ▪ He sat watching the leaves dancing in the breeze. ▪ The boxer danced around his opponent.
dance to someone's tune
: to do what someone wants or forces you to do ▪ The boss has got everyone dancing to her tune. ▪ The senators are dancing to the tune of the President.
—danc·er noun plural danc·ers [count] ▪ I'm a terrible dancer. ▪ ballet dancers
—dancing adjective ▪ We're taking dancing lessons. ▪ dancing shoes
—dancing noun [noncount] ▪ They went out for dinner and dancing. ▪ She's always loved dancing. ▪ Would you like to go dancing tonight? —see also ballroom dancing, break dancing, lap dancing