dancing
Moving to music
Dancing is moving the body rhythmically, usually to music.
It can be social, artistic, or ceremonial—from ballroom to ballet to ritual.
As an adjective, dancing describes lively movement: dancing flames, dancing eyes.
The gerund often implies ongoing activity: She took up dancing, They went dancing.
Venue for formal dances
- salsaSpicy tomato condiment
- tangoLatin ballroom with sharp stops
- swingSuspended recreational seat
- foxtrotSmooth partner dance
waltz · bachata · merengue · milonga · jive · disco · hoedown · ceilidh
Classical dance on pointe
- hip-hopRhythmic spoken-word music
- contemporaryOf the present age
- jazzImprovisational American music genre
- tapValve controlling liquid flow
modern · breakdancing · krumping · popping · locking · voguing · flamenco · kathak
Rhythmic pulse or strike
- tempoRate of musical performance
- syncopationStressed unexpected beats
- cadenceRhythmic pulse or pattern
- pulseArterial blood throb
groove · timing · footwork · polyrhythm · pace · count · downbeat · offbeat
Designing performance movement sequences
- recitalSolo musical performance
- stageRaised performance platform
- audienceGathered viewers collectively
- curtainFabric hung for privacy
applause · encore · solo · duet · troupe · costume · spotlight · ovation
Heart-strengthening group exercises
- cardioPulse-elevating exercise regimen
- workoutStructured physical exercise
- stretchingExtending muscles or material
- warm-upPre-activity preparation routine
cooldown · barre · flexibility · endurance · agility · core strength · movement · sweat
Rapid circular motion
- spinningRevolving around an axis
- leapingSpringing into air
- bouncingSpringing back repeatedly
- skippingRhythmic hopping locomotion
prancing · frolicking · celebration · elation · exuberance · delight · merriment · festivity
Change in position
- gestureCommunicative body movement
- emotionComplex psychological state
- storytellingRecounting events aloud
- interpretationAssigned meaning
fluidity · grace · poise · body language · improvisation · feeling · mood · narrative
Live entertainment venue
- revueMusical variety entertainment
- vaudevilleTheatrical variety entertainment
- burlesqueExaggerated mockery or risqué variety
- variety showProgram mixing different performances
showgirl · chorus line · extravaganza · spectacle · musical · Vegas · dinner theater · go-go
ballroom
Venue for formal dances
foxtrot · waltz · bachata · merengue · milonga · jive · disco · hoedown · ceilidh · mambo
ballet
Classical dance on pointe
- hip-hopRhythmic spoken-word music
- contemporaryOf the present age
- jazzImprovisational American music genre
tap · modern · breakdancing · krumping · popping · locking · voguing · flamenco · kathak · folk
beat
Rhythmic pulse or strike
- tempoRate of musical performance
- syncopationStressed unexpected beats
- cadenceRhythmic pulse or pattern
pulse · groove · timing · footwork · polyrhythm · pace · count · downbeat · offbeat · step
choreography
Designing performance movement sequences
- recitalSolo musical performance
- stageRaised performance platform
- audienceGathered viewers collectively
curtain · applause · encore · solo · duet · troupe · costume · spotlight · ovation · premiere
aerobics
Heart-strengthening group exercises
- cardioPulse-elevating exercise regimen
- workoutStructured physical exercise
- stretchingExtending muscles or material
warm-up · cooldown · barre · flexibility · endurance · agility · core strength · movement · sweat · calories
twirling
Rapid circular motion
skipping · prancing · frolicking · celebration · elation · exuberance · delight · merriment · festivity · jubilation
movement
Change in position
- gestureCommunicative body movement
- emotionComplex psychological state
- storytellingRecounting events aloud
interpretation · fluidity · grace · poise · body language · improvisation · feeling · mood · narrative · passion
cabaret
Live entertainment venue
- revueMusical variety entertainment
- vaudevilleTheatrical variety entertainment
- burlesqueExaggerated mockery or risqué variety
variety show · showgirl · chorus line · extravaganza · spectacle · musical · Vegas · dinner theater · go-go · flash mob
- activitiesbowling, climbing, exercise, eating, baking
- celebrationsgraduation, festival, party, wedding, fireworks
- hobbiesknitting circles, skateboarding, model trains, write, writing
- leisure activitiesrelax, watching, unwind, walking, chill
- pastimeshobbies, amusement, puzzles, cards, crafting
- group activitiesgroup games, voting, protest, group project, game night
dancingsitting still
Seated without movement
standing still · stillness · sitting · standing · lying down
dancingrigidity
State of being unbending
stiffness · wooden · standing at attention · freezing · marching
dancingwallflowering
Staying unnoticed at gatherings
sitting out · watching · spectating · observing · abstaining
- dancing with the devilEngaging with dangerous forces
- slow dancingGentle partnered movement
- tap dancingFootwork with clicking shoes
- line dancingChoreographed group country steps
- slam dancingViolent dancing at concerts
- break dancingAcrobatic hip-hop dance
folk dancing, ballroom dancing, line dancing, pole dancing, square dancing, salsa dancing, tap dancing, belly dancing