dance

noun

/dɑːns/

/dæns/

Idioms

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[countable] a series of movements and steps that are usually performed to music; a particular example of these movements and steps
- Do you know any other Latin American dances?
- The next dance will be a waltz.
- The girls performed a graceful dance.
- a dance class/routine
- Find a partner and practise these new dance steps.
see also belly dance, clog dance, country dance, folk dance, line dance, morris dance, rain dance, square dance, sword dance, tap dance, war dance
Wordfinder
- ballet
- ballroom
- band
- choreograph
- dance
- floor
- folk dance
- music
- partner
- step
Extra Examples
- 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.
Oxford Collocations Dictionary
adjective
- little
- fast
- lively
- …
verb + dance
- dance
- do
- perform
- …
dance + noun
- music
- rhythm
- performance
- …
See full entry
[uncountable] the art of dancing, especially for entertainment
- an evening of drama, music and dance
- classical/contemporary/traditional dance
- a dance company/troupe
see also modern danceTopics Hobbiesa1
Oxford Collocations Dictionary
adjective
- contemporary
- modern
- classical
- …
dance + noun
- company
- troupe
- style
- …
phrases
- a school of dance
- a style of dance
See full entry
[countable] an act of dancing
- Let's have a dance.
- He did a little dance of triumph.
Extra Examples
- In her delight she got up and did a little dance.
- Would you like a dance?
- pigeons performing their mating dance
Oxford Collocations Dictionary
adjective
- little
- fast
- lively
- …
verb + dance
- dance
- do
- perform
- …
dance + noun
- music
- rhythm
- performance
- …
See full entry
[countable] a social event at which people dance
- We hold a dance every year to raise money for charity.
see also barn dance, dinner dance, tea dance
Extra Examples
- They met at a dance.
- I took her to my first high school dance.
- A ceilidh is like a kind of Scottish or Irish barn dance.
Oxford Collocations Dictionary
adjective
- barn
- square
- school
- …
verb + dance
- go to
- hold
dance + noun
- band
preposition
- at a/the dance
See full entry
[countable] a piece of music for dancing to
- The band finished with a few slow dances.
Topics Musica2

Word OriginMiddle English: from Old French dancer (verb), dance (noun), of unknown origin.

Idioms

lead somebody a (merry) dance

(British English, informal) to cause somebody a lot of trouble or worry

a song and dance (about something)

(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.
[countable] (North American English, informal) a long explanation about something, or excuse for something

dance

verb

/dɑːns/

/dæns/

Verb Forms

present simple I / you / we / they dance	/dɑːns/ /dæns/
he / she / it dances	/ˈdɑːnsɪz/ /ˈdænsɪz/
past simple danced	/dɑːnst/ /dænst/
past participle danced	/dɑːnst/ /dænst/
-ing form dancing	/ˈdɑːnsɪŋ/ /ˈdænsɪŋ/

Idioms

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[intransitive] to move your body to the sound and rhythm of music
- Do you want to dance?
- He asked me to dance.
- They stayed up all night singing and dancing.
- dance to something They danced to the music of a string quartet.
- dance with somebody Ruth danced all evening with Richard.
- dance together Ruth and Richard danced together all evening.
Extra Examples
- They danced wildly down the street.
- We danced to the music.
- Will you dance with me?
Topics Hobbiesa1
Oxford Collocations Dictionary
adverb
- wildly
- slowly
- well
- …
verb + dance
- ask somebody to
- want to
- feel like dancing
- …
preposition
- for
- to
- with
- …
See full entry
[transitive] dance something to do a particular type of dance
- to dance the tango
- to dance a waltz
- He was so excited about the good news that he danced a little jig.
[intransitive] to move in a lively way
- The children danced around her.
- He was almost dancing for joy.
- The sun shone on the sea and the waves danced and sparkled.
- The words danced before her tired eyes.

Word OriginMiddle English: from Old French dancer (verb), dance (noun), of unknown origin.

Idioms

dance attendance on somebody

(British English, formal) to be with somebody and do things to help and please them

dance the night away

to dance for the whole evening or night

dance to somebody’s tune

to do whatever somebody tells you to