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waltz Definition

waltz (wôlts)

noun

  1. a ballroom dance for couples, in moderate 3/4 time with marked accent on the first beat of the measure
  2. music for this dance or in its characteristic rhythm
  3. Informal a thing easy to do; esp., an easy victory in a contest

Etymology: abbrev. < Ger walzer < walzen, to roll, dance about, waltz: for IE base see walk

adjective

of, for, or characteristic of a waltz

intransitive verb

  1. to dance a waltz
  2. to move lightly and nimbly; whirl
  3. Informal
    1. to proceed effortlessly, indifferently, etc. to waltz through life
    2. to win easily (with in)

transitive verb

  1. to dance with in a waltz
  2. to take and lead peremptorily

waltz Related Forms
waltzer noun
waltz Synonyms

waltz

n.

music in three-quarter time, dance step, box step, hesitation, Viennese waltz; see also dance 1.

waltz Synonyms

waltz

v.

box step, whirl, ballroom dance, dance in three-quarter time; see dance 1.

waltz Usage Examples

Object

  • round: He did manage several strong breaks through the middle, waltzing round his markers like the next rugby contestant in Strictly Come Dancing.

Converse of object

  • dance: Now it was England's turn to dance a morbid waltz with the fates.
  • play: I ain't got no excuses, I just want to play The good old country waltz.
  • include: The ten rhythms ( including waltz, ballad, rock, Latin ) can be combined to create more variety.

Adjective modifier

  • Viennese: At one moment he burst into song, was it a Viennese waltz or Waltzing Matilda?
  • slow: The first was the Boston, a slower waltz with long gliding steps.
  • last: I'd hoped John would save the last waltz for me.
  • old: I ain't got no excuses, I just want to play The good old country waltz.

Modifies a noun

  • rhythm: Judy Tutor Script Judy " OK, who'd like to play a waltz rhythm first?
  • hold: Partners meet back in place and take waltz hold.
  • time: Remembering their youthful attempts at playing songs in waltz time, McLennan can't suppress a laugh.

Modifying Another Word

  • then: Both side couples then waltz back to place ( 4 bars ).
  • just: In diving, I really enjoy the fact that I can just waltz along the path the GUE people have laid down.

Followed by an intransitive particle

  • through: We all just waltzed through without a second thought, it was quite weird.
  • around: She can waltz around like a diva all day long, without this hair towel falling off. £ 15.99.
  • off: If they waltz off with a bit of your pension, you can't say you haven't been warned.

Followed by a transitive particle

  • down: Did the crowd follow him as he waltzed down the road home in the joy of the Lord, to the glory of God?

Adjective complement

  • past: Second seed John White waltzed past Scott Fitzgerald 3/0 to set up a meeting with Tim Garner, who defeated Jonathon Kemp 3/1.

Noun used with modifier

  • jazz: These new Waltz soloists generate professional, innovative solos for the most sophisticated jazz waltzes.
  • country: I ain't got no excuses, I just want to play The good old country waltz.
waltz Quotes

Away with the music of Broadway! Be off with your Irving Berlin! Oh, I'd give no quarter to Kern or Cole Porter and Gershwin keeps pounding on tin. How can I be civil when hearing this drivel? It's only for night-clubbing souses. Oh, give me the free 'n'easy waltz that is Viennesey And go tell the band if they want a hand the waltz must be Strauss's!

—Gershwin, Ira originally Israel Gershowitz

Browse dictionary entries near waltz

  1. Walton, Sam
  2. Walton
  3. Walther von der Vogelweide
  4. Waltham Forest
  5. Waltham
  6. Walter Mitty
  7. Walter
  8. Walsingham
  9. Walsall
  10. walrus
  1. Walvis Bay
  2. WAM
  3. wamble
  4. wame
  5. Wampanoag
  6. wampum
  7. wan
  8. WAN Interface Sublayer
  9. Wanamaker
  10. wand