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dancer

n.
US //ˈdænsɝ// UK //dˈɑːnsɐ// dancer
  1. 1 performer or hobbyist (n.)
    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.

    Example

    She has wanted to be a professional ballet dancer since she was five years old.

    Example

    The lead dancer executed a series of complex pirouettes that left the audience in stunned silence for several seconds.

  2. 2 adult entertainer (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Informal

    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.

    Example

    He told his parents he was dating a dancer, but he didn't say she worked at a club.

    Example

    The venue rebranded itself as a high-end lounge, though the primary attraction remained the exotic dancers performing on the main stage.

    Usage

    Often used as a euphemism to avoid more explicit terms.

    Teacher's tip

    Learners should be aware that in certain contexts, especially involving nightlife, this word implies adult entertainment rather than traditional performance art.

Origin

From Middle English dauncer, dawncere, dancere, equivalent to dance + -er.

Idioms1 entry

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