dance 1 of 2

noun

Definition of dancenext
as in prom
a social gathering for dancing who are you taking to the dance on Saturday night?

Synonyms & Similar Words

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dance

2 of 2

verb

ˈdan(t)s How to pronounce dance (audio)
1
as in to step
to perform a series of usually rhythmic bodily movements to music she can't resist dancing to her favorite rock bands

Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in to dart
to make an irregular series of quick, sudden movements the lithe boxer danced around the ring, staying just out of the reach of his opponent

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of dance
Noun
Sullivan’s Anne first aired on PBS the very same night, for instance, that the erotic multicultural dance fable Flashdance was first shown on network TV. — Literary Hub, 26 Aug. 2026 Jig will center on best friends Cara and Fletcher, who are part of a struggling dance school in Derry that aims for the world championships in Irish dancing. — Rick Porter, HollywoodReporter, 26 Aug. 2026
Verb
As far as remote destinations go, this is up there—125 miles shy of the Arctic Circle, where the summer sun never sets and winters are full of dancing Northern Lights and subzero temperatures (that extend well into May). — Michelle Tchea, Robb Report, 27 Aug. 2026 He was born in 1970 to musicians who busked street corners around Memphis; while his father played guitar, his mother used to dance. — Stephen Deusner, SPIN, 25 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for dance
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dance
  1. prom
  2. step
  3. dart
  4. festival
  5. waltz
  6. flit
  7. celebration
  8. shuffle
Noun
  • Both Heintz and Moser posted Instagram pictures of themselves in happier times, 11 weeks ago, going to a high school prom.
    — David K. Li, NBC news, 21 Aug. 2026
  • Two teenagers are taking their creativity to the next level with impressive prom dress and prom tux creations, both made out of duct tape.
    — Yi-Jin Yu, ABC News, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of prom
Verb
  • The tennis ace stepped behind the club’s plush bar to serve his signature drink, Fritzy Spicy Margarita, and welcomed invitees with a rousing toast.
    — Paul Chi, Vogue, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Messi, who was a superstar with European teams Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain, is regarded as one of the greatest players to have stepped onto a soccer pitch.
    — Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of step
Verb
  • Late in the second period, freshman Emma Yokoi avoided a flag pull on a short, fourth-and-1 reception and darted 21 yards for a touchdown to push Newport Harbor’s lead to 13-0.
    — Dan Albano, Oc Register, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Golf carts dart around the island to drop guests at various outlets, but pathways are sandy, and there are steps to most of the restaurants, though beach rooms are all at floor level.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of dart
Noun
  • The girl group had to bow out of Olivia Rodrigo’s Daisy Chain Fields festival August 27 after Megan Skiendiel sprained her ankle.
    — Bethy Squires, Vulture, 30 Aug. 2026
  • The one-day festival, which raised $10 million for nonprofits supporting women and girls, arrives just weeks before Rodrigo launches her Unraveled Tour.
    — Jessica Lynch, Billboard, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of festival
Verb
  • Jey Uso lost to Oba Femi and decided to waltz over to SmackDown to try to get a shot at Zayn’s title.
    — Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 6 July 2026
  • Sweden waltzed to a 5-1 victory against Tunisia in its opener, with its forward line of Alexander Isak and Viktor Gyökeres capitalizing on some poor defending.
    — Ben Church, CNN Money, 20 June 2026
Definition of waltz
Verb
  • For Hand-Painted Detail Versatile and timeless, this duo of hand-painted, ceramic platters can easily flit between casual family breakfasts and evenings hosting at home with a pile of hors d'oeuvres.
    — Kate McGregor, Architectural Digest, 27 Aug. 2026
  • By the front door, a hummingbird repeatedly flitted to the tubular magenta blooms of the Salvia spathacea.
    — Ariane Lange, Sacbee.com, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of flit
Noun
  • Jake was at Los Angeles’ Union Station for a celebration of life event for a friend when his sister called.
    — Marlene Lenthang, NBC news, 28 Aug. 2026
  • The shows are billed as a celebration of the 30th anniversary of debut LP Reasonable Doubt, which kicked off the 56-year-old’s illustrious career in 1996.
    — Sophie Williams, Billboard, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of celebration
Verb
  • Since Brian Schottenheimer lasted six years, from 2006 until 2011, the Jets have shuffled through 10 offensive coordinators (including Reich), and none lasted for more than two seasons.
    — Zack Rosenblatt, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026
  • The line shuffles forward quickly, and my heart knots in my chest as Heartfillers are dosed to each person up ahead.
    — Carly Tagen-Dye, PEOPLE, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of shuffle

Phrases Containing dance

Browse Nearby Words

dam (up)
dance
dance attendance (upon)
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Cite this Entry

“Dance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dance. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on dance

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about dance

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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