prance

1 of 2

verb

ˈpran(t)s 

pranced; prancing

intransitive verb

1

: to spring from the hind legs or move by so doing

2

: to ride on a prancing horse

3

: to walk or move in a spirited manner : strut

also : to dance about

transitive verb

: to cause (a horse) to prance

prancer

ˈpran(t)-sər 

noun

prance

2 of 2

noun

: an act or instance of prancing

specifically : a prancing movement

Synonyms

Verb

• sashay
• stalk
• strut
• swagger

Examples of prance in a Sentence

Verb

The singer pranced around on stage.

The little boy pranced across the room in his cowboy costume.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Her hope is that the Lions will let her tag along for a bit in a floppy throwback outfit, a living, prancing contrast to the mostly mediocre old days before the team was 12-1 and finding ways to win instead of inventing ways to lose. —Neal Rubin, Detroit Free Press, 12 Dec. 2024

Brown broke free one play later and pranced into the end zone for a 31-yard rushing score. —Joe Arruda, Hartford Courant, 2 Nov. 2024

Noun

On tours at Farm Sanctuary, guides introduce visitors to goats who make family groups; cows who, when no longer confined to dairy barns, prance and play and take care of their young; and pigs who, given the space, build themselves nests in a barn but go outside to relieve themselves. —Melanie Stetson Freeman, The Christian Science Monitor, 22 Nov. 2024

In the clip, the formerly shy and slow-moving dog happily prances after Jeanette as the pair trots around a backyard. —Kelli Bender, Peoplemag, 13 Mar. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English prauncen

First Known Use

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Noun

1893, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

prance

verb

ˈpran(t)s

pranced; prancing

1

: to rise up or move about on the hind legs

2

: to ride on a prancing horse

3

: to walk or move about in a lively and proud manner : strut

prance noun

prancer

ˈpran(t)-sər

noun