dancer
- 01 A1 Beginner
someone who moves their body to music, especially as a job or a serious hobby.
a person who performs dance movements, typically as a professional occupation or a dedicated recreational activity.
Simple“She has wanted to be a professional ballet dancer since she was five years old.”
In context“The lead dancer executed a series of complex pirouettes that left the audience in stunned silence for several seconds.”
- 02 B2 Upper Intermediate
a polite or indirect way to talk about a stripper.
a euphemistic term for a person who performs striptease or exotic dance in an adult entertainment venue.
Simple“He told his parents he was dating a dancer, but he didn't say she worked at a club.”
In context“The venue rebranded itself as a high-end lounge, though the primary attraction remained the exotic dancers performing on the main stage.”
UsageOften used as a euphemism to avoid more explicit terms.
Teacher's tipLearners should be aware that in certain contexts, especially involving nightlife, this word implies adult entertainment rather than traditional performance art.
Synonymsstripperexotic dancer
From Middle English dauncer, dawncere, dancere, equivalent to dance + -er.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.