dance
/dɑːns/ (bre, ipa) · /dæns/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈdan(t)s ˈdän(t)s/ (ame, mw)
dance — verb
- dancepresent simple I / you / we / they
- dances3rd person singular
- dancing-ing form
- dancedpast simple
1. to move your body and feet in a rhythmical way, following the beat of music — ei
to move your body and feet in a rhythmical way, following the beat of music — either alone, with a partner, or in a group.
Christopher danced with Sahil for almost every song at the wedding.
dance + with + person
The children danced around the garden, laughing while their mother played the guitar.
Quinn asked Layla to dance just before the band played a slow song.
Zola has never danced the tango, but she wants to learn it this summer.
At the festival, everyone danced to the rhythm of the drums until late at night.
- sit out
to not take part in dancing at an event
文法句型
dance
dance + noun (type of dance)
dance + with + someone
dance + to + music
用法筆記
When used transitively, the object is the name of a dance style (waltz, salsa, tango, etc.). The intransitive use (dance without an object) is more frequent in everyday speech.
常見錯誤
2. to move quickly, lightly, or in a bouncing way — used for things that are not pe
to move quickly, lightly, or in a bouncing way — used for things that are not people, such as light, shadows, leaves, or small creatures, when they seem to move like a dancer.
Sunlight danced on the surface of the lake, making tiny golden sparks.
The dry leaves danced across the street as the autumn wind blew through the trees.
non-human subject + dance + prepositional phrase
Flames danced in the old stone fireplace while the family gathered around it.
The puppy danced around Ezra's feet, too excited to sit still for even a moment.
Shadows from the candle danced across the wall as Élise walked past with the light.
- settle
to come to rest after moving
文法句型
dance (describing movement of non-human subjects)
用法筆記
This sense is restricted to non-human subjects. It describes a visual impression of lightness and rhythm, not literal dancing. Common with subjects like light, shadow, flame, and leaf.
dance — noun
- dancesingular
- dancesplural
1. a way of moving your body to music, using a fixed pattern of steps that belongs
a way of moving your body to music, using a fixed pattern of steps that belongs to a particular style — such as the waltz, salsa, or ballet.
The tango is a passionate dance that started in Argentina and Uruguay.
Sahil learned three traditional Indian dances for the cultural festival at his school.
Putri's favorite dance is the salsa because of its fast rhythm and lively hip movements.
The dance has eight basic steps that repeat throughout the whole song.
Ballet is a dance that tells a story through movement, with no words spoken.
文法句型
a/the + dance
dance + of + origin/style
常見錯誤
2. a social gathering where people come together to dance, often in a large hall or
a social gathering where people come together to dance, often in a large hall or room; some dances are formal events like a school prom or a ball.
Gabriela wore a long blue dress to the winter dance at her school.
The annual charity dance raised enough money to buy new books for the local library.
Joon asked Élise to be his date for the dance, and she happily said yes.
Ziad helped decorate the hall with balloons and lights for the spring dance.
Only students in the final year were allowed to attend the graduation dance.
文法句型
a/the + dance
go to a dance
at a dance
用法筆記
In American English, 'dance' commonly refers to informal school or community events. In British English, 'ball' or 'disco' may be more common for formal or casual events, though 'dance' is still understood.
3. a single occasion when someone moves their body and feet to music; an instance o
a single occasion when someone moves their body and feet to music; an instance of dancing.
Christopher did a little dance in the kitchen when he heard the good news.
After dinner, the guests pushed back the table and had a dance in the living room.
have a dance
The bride and her father shared a slow dance as the guests watched with smiles.
Ezra asked his grandmother for a dance, and she laughed as he spun her around.
A dance broke out among the children when the band started playing their favorite song.
文法句型
a + dance
have a dance
do a dance
用法筆記
When used with 'do' or 'have', this sense describes a brief, often informal act of dancing ('do a little dance', 'have a dance'). It can also describe a formal partnered dance ('share a dance').
4. the skill, practice, or career of moving the body to music in a planned and expr
the skill, practice, or career of moving the body to music in a planned and expressive way, especially as a type of performance or entertainment.
Dance is a powerful art form that can tell stories without using any words at all.
Élise studied modern dance at the national arts university for four years.
study dance / modern dance
The school offers classes in dance, drama, and music for students aged six to eighteen.
Zola's dream is to become a professional dance teacher after she finishes her training.
Contemporary dance combines strong physical movement with deep emotional expression.
- ballet
a classical form of dance with precise, formalized movements
- choreography
the art of designing sequences of movements for dancers
文法句型
dance (uncountable)
study dance
a career in dance
用法筆記
Uncountable — no article is used when referring to dance as a general art form ('Dance is beautiful' NOT 'A dance is beautiful'). It becomes countable only when referring to a specific type (sense 1) or instance (sense 3).
常見錯誤
5. a song or instrumental tune written with a steady beat and rhythm so that people
a song or instrumental tune written with a steady beat and rhythm so that people can move to it, especially one connected to a particular style of dancing.
The band played a slow dance while couples moved across the dance floor.
Ezra asked the DJ to play a dance he could waltz to with his partner.
play a dance
The orchestra ended the evening with a lively dance from the hills of southern Italy.
Quinn recognized the dance playing on the radio as one her grandmother used to hum.
This dance was written for the piano over a hundred years ago but is still popular today.
文法句型
a + dance
play a dance
用法筆記
In this sense, 'dance' refers specifically to the musical composition, not the activity. It is most commonly used when naming or describing instrumental dance pieces from classical or folk traditions.