waltz

waltz — noun

IPA/wɔːls/
KK[wˈɔlts]IPA/wɔːls/
  • waltzsingular
  • waltzesplural

1. music written in three-beat bars and the formal partner dance performed to it, w

1.nounB1
Definition

music written in three-beat bars and the formal partner dance performed to it, where a couple turns while moving across the room in a smooth, repeating pattern.

Example

Sofia asked her grandfather to teach her the basic steps of a waltz.

countable: a waltz

The band played a slow waltz while couples moved across the dance floor.

collocation: play a waltz

Common collocations
  • dance a waltz
  • play a waltz
  • waltz music
  • waltz steps
  • waltz rhythm
  • the last waltz
Synonyms

Grammar Patterns

a + waltz

waltz + music

dance a waltz

play a waltz

Usage Note

When referring to the dance, waltz is a countable noun (a waltz / the waltz / waltzes). When referring to the genre or activity in general, it can be uncountable (lessons in waltz).

Common Mistakes

They danced a waltz music.
They danced a waltz.
the word waltz already includes the idea of music and dancing; don't add 'music' after 'dance a waltz'.

waltz — verb

IPA/wɒlts/
KK[wˈɔlts]IPA/wɑːlts/

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: verb/1

Waltz (verb sense 1), breeze, swagger, and stride all describe moving in a confident way, but they differ in tone. Waltz suggests a relaxed, almost careless confidence that the speaker finds annoying or inappropriate — you waltz into a place as if you own it. Breeze emphasizes ease and speed with no effort: you breeze through a task or breeze past an obstacle. Swagger is more arrogant: it implies showing off and wanting to be noticed. Stride is neutral and simply means walking with long, purposeful steps. For example: 'He waltzed into the office late' (annoying confidence), 'She swaggered onto the stage' (showing off), 'The manager strode into the room' (purposeful).

breeze ↗swagger ↗stride ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • dance a waltz
  • play a waltz
  • waltz in triple time
  • the last waltz

Prepositions

Etymology

GermanEnglish

The word waltz comes from German Walzer, which developed from the verb walzen meaning 'to turn' or 'to roll'. The dance became popular in Vienna in the late 1700s and spread across Europe. English borrowed the word in the late 1700s, first for the dance itself and later for the informal verb sense of moving confidently.