# dance

/ˈdæns/ (US) · /dˈɑːns/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/dance
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. to move to music

verb · CEFR A1

to move your body in time with music.

For teachers: to move the body and feet rhythmically, typically in time to music. Intransitive or transitive depending on whether a specific style is named.

- The children started to dance as soon as the music began.
- The couple danced a traditional waltz, moving across the ballroom floor with a grace that suggested years of formal training.

### 2. to move lightly

verb · CEFR B2 · Literary

to move quickly and lightly, like light reflecting on water.

For teachers: to move nimbly, irregularly, or rapidly; often used of inanimate objects or light.

- Sunlight danced on the surface of the lake.
- Shadows danced across the nursery walls as the wind rattled the old oak tree outside the window.

### 3. rhythmic movements

noun · CEFR A1

a series of steps and movements that match the speed of music.

For teachers: a series of rhythmic steps or movements usually performed to music.

- They learned a new dance for their friend's wedding.
- The choreographer spent months refining the modern dance, ensuring every movement conveyed the intended emotional weight.

### 4. social event

noun · CEFR A2

a party or social meeting where people go to dance.

For teachers: a social gathering or formal ball specifically for the purpose of dancing.

- Are you going to the school dance on Friday night?
- The charity dance raised thousands of pounds, attracting donors from across the county for an evening of jazz and celebration.

### 5. the art form

noun · CEFR B1

the activity or profession of dancing.

For teachers: the art, profession, or study of rhythmic movement as a form of expression.

- She decided to study dance at university.
- Critics praised the production for its innovative fusion of classical dance and contemporary street styles.

### 6. complex interaction

noun · CEFR C1 · Literary

a situation where two people or groups move or act around each other in a tricky way.

For teachers: a metaphorical 'battle of wits' or a complex, repetitive social interaction between two parties.

- The two politicians began a careful dance of words during the debate.
- The diplomatic dance continued for weeks, with neither nation willing to make the first concession regarding the border dispute.

## Examples

- They shared a slow dance at the wedding.
- The school is hosting a formal dance in the gym to celebrate the end of the year.
- The choreographer blended classical ballet with modern street dance to create a performance that felt both traditional and entirely new.

---

From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.