dance

1. [intransitive and transitive] to move your feet and body in a way that matches the style and speed of music:
Come on, let’s dance.
dance to
They danced to Ruby Newman’s orchestra (=the orchestra was playing).
dance with
The bride danced with her father.
dance a waltz/rumba/tango etc
2. [intransitive and transitive] to dance in performances, especially in ↑ballet:
He danced with the Boston Repertory Ballet.
Nakamura dances several solos in this production.
3. [intransitive] literary to move up, down, and around quickly:
Pink and white balloons danced in the wind.
4. dance to sb’s tune to do what someone wants you to do – used to show disapproval:
At that time, Eastern bloc countries danced to the Soviet tune.
5. dance attendance on somebody to do everything possible in order to please someone:
a movie star with several young men dancing attendance on her
—dancing noun [uncountable]:
the beauty of her dancing

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

verb
1. 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.
• They danced to the music of a string quartet.
• Ruth danced all evening with Richard.

• Ruth and Richard danced together all evening.

2. transitive ~ sth 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.

3. intransitive to move in a lively way
• The children danced around her.
• The sun shone on the sea and the waves danced and sparkled.
• The words danced before her tired eyes.

Word Origin:
Middle English: from Old French dancer (verb), dance (noun), of unknown origin.
Example Bank:
• He was almost dancing for joy.
• They danced wildly down the street.
• We danced to the music.

• Will you dance with me?

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 4th Edition

dance / dɑns / / dæns / verb

A1 [ I or T ] to move the body and feet to music:
We danced all night.
We went dancing at a club.
What sort of music do you like dancing to ?
Who was she dancing with at the party last night?
Can you dance the tango?
Colin would dance the night away at XXL.
[ I ] literary to move quickly and lightly:
The daffodils were dancing in the breeze.
She watched the sunlight dancing on the water.

Collins Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

1.
When you dance, you move your body and feet in a way which follows a rhythm, usually in time to music.
Polly had never learned to dance...
I like to dance to the music on the radio.
VERB: V, V to n

3.
When you dance with someone, the two of you take part in a dance together, as partners. You can also say that two people dance.
It’s a terrible thing when nobody wants to dance with you...
Shall we dance?...
He asked her to dance.
V-RECIP: V with n, pl-n V, V (non-recip)

6.
If you dance a particular kind of dance, you do it or perform it.
Then we put the music on, and we all danced the Charleston...
VERB: V n

7.
If you dance somewhere, you move there lightly and quickly, usually because you are happy or excited. (LITERARY)
He danced off down the road...
VERB: V adv/prep

8.
If you say that something dances, you mean that it moves about, or seems to move about, lightly and quickly. (LITERARY)
Light danced on the surface of the water...
VERB: V adv/prep

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

¹dance /ˈdæns, Brit ˈdɑːns/ verb danc·es; danced; danc·ing
1 a [no obj] : to move your body in a way that goes with the rhythm and style of music that is being played
• He never learned how to dance.
• She has always loved to dance.
• I like the song but it's really hard to dance to.
• Would you like to dance with me? = (more formally) Shall we dance?
• We danced the night away. [=we danced the entire evening]
b [+ obj] : to move with and guide (someone) as music plays : to dance with (someone)
• He danced her across the floor.
2 [+ obj] : to perform (a particular type of dance)
• dancing the waltz/polka/twist
3 [no obj] : to perform as a dancer
• She dances with a famous ballet company.
• She's a great actress, and she can dance and sing, too.
4 [no obj] : to move quickly up and down, from side to side, etc.
• We danced for joy when we heard the news.
• He sat watching the leaves dancing in the breeze.
• The boxer danced around his opponent.
dance to someone's tune : to do what someone wants or forces you to do
• The boss has got everyone dancing to her tune.
• The senators are dancing to the tune of the President.
- danc·er noun, pl -ers [count]
• I'm a terrible dancer.
• ballet dancers
- dancing adj
• We're taking dancing lessons.
• dancing shoes
- dancing noun [noncount]
• They went out for dinner and dancing.
• She's always loved dancing.
• Would you like to go dancing tonight?