- 1 [countable] a series of movements and steps that are usually performed to music; a particular example of these movements and steps a dance class/routine Find a partner and practise these new dance steps. Do you know any other Latin American dances? The next dance will be a waltz. see also rain dance Wordfinderdanceballet, ballroom, band, choreograph, dance, floor, folk dance, music, partner, step Oxford Collocations Dictionary adjectivelittle, fast, lively, … verb + dancedance, do, perform, … dance + nounmusic, rhythm, performance, … See full entry
- 2 [uncountable] the art of dancing, especially for entertainment an evening of drama, music and dance modern/classical dance a dance company/troupe Oxford Collocations Dictionary adjectivecontemporary, modern, classical, … dance + nouncompany, troupe, style, … phrasesa school of dance, a style of dance See full entry
- 3 [countable] an act of dancing Let's have a dance. He did a little dance of triumph. Oxford Collocations Dictionary adjectivelittle, fast, lively, … verb + dancedance, do, perform, … dance + nounmusic, rhythm, performance, … See full entry
- 4 [countable] a social event at which people dance We hold a dance every year to raise money for charity. Oxford Collocations Dictionary adjectivebarn, square, school, … verb + dancego to, hold dance + nounband prepositionat a/the dance See full entry
- 5 [countable] a piece of music for dancing to The band finished with a few slow dances. See related entries: Styles of music Word OriginMiddle English: from Old French dancer (verb), dance (noun), of unknown origin.Extra examples In her delight she got up and did a little dance. May I have the next dance? Save the last dance for me. She had to sit out the last dance because of a twisted ankle. They met at a dance. Would you like a dance? pigeons performing their mating dance A ceilidh is like a kind of Scottish or Irish barn dance. I took her to my first high school dance.Idioms
- 1(British English, informal, disapproving) if you make a song and dance about something, you complain or talk about it too much when this is not necessary She gives generously to charity without making a song and dance about it.
- 2[countable] (North American English, informal) a long explanation about something, or excuse for something
(British English) to cause somebody a lot of trouble or worry
Check pronunciation: dance
