Word
prancing
Phoneticspranc·ing, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈpɹænsɪŋ/
UK/pɹˈɑːnsɪŋ/
Definition
v. to walk or move with high, lively steps, like a proud horse or a happy child showing off.
v. to move with high, springing steps, often to display energy, pride, or excitement. Applies to horses lifting the forelegs high and to people moving in a showy, strutting manner.
Examples
“The horse is prancing around the field.”
“The little girl keeps prancing around the living room in her new shoes.”
“Prancing horses led the parade through the old town, their polished hooves striking the stones in time with the drums.”
Examples
simple
“The horse is prancing around the field.”
contextual
“The little girl keeps prancing around the living room in her new shoes.”
complex
“Prancing horses led the parade through the old town, their polished hooves striking the stones in time with the drums.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “prancing” in context.
Verb
01. child prance
“The excited child pranced into the room.”
noun + verb
02. dancer prance
“The dancers pranced onto the stage in bright costumes.”
noun + verb
03. horse prance
“The horse prances gracefully in the parade.”
noun + verb
04. keep prance
“The young foal kept prancing in circles.”
verb + verb
05. pony prance
“The little pony pranced around the paddock.”
noun + verb
Adjective
06. prance excitedly
“The puppy pranced excitedly beside its owner.”
verb + adv
07. prance playfully
“The children pranced playfully across the playground.”
verb + adv
08. prance proudly
“The white horse pranced proudly around the field.”
verb + adv
Noun
09. prance around ring
“The horses pranced around the ring before the race.”
verb + prep + noun
10. prance into room
“He pranced into the room to make everyone laugh.”
verb + prep + noun
11. prance around the ring
“The champion horse pranced around the ring as the crowd cheered.”
12. prance into the room
“She pranced into the room wearing her new dance shoes.”
Usage
The verb is intransitive and takes no direct object; often followed by 'around' or 'about'.
Real-World Examples
“The woman said she “froze” in the run-down single room when she returned from the toilet to find that Brand was partly naked and “prancing around” like an ostrich.” “Their horses calmly prance, riders bolt upright with lances aloft, then one rider tilts forward as his horse lowers its head and bends its front legs in a run.” “Aug 26 (Reuters) - The baritone-voiced British actor who pranced to movie fame as a singing, lingerie-clad "sweet transvestite" in the 1975 cult classic "The Rocky Horror Picture Show," has died at the age of 80, his manager said on Wednesday.” “Mounted on handcrafted hobbyhorses, the dancers prance in circles, stamp, gulp down buckets of water, and chomp on fodder.” Related words
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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