trance

1 of 2

noun

ˈtran(t)s 

1

: stupor, daze

2

: a sleeplike state (as of deep hypnosis) usually characterized by partly suspended animation with diminished or absent sensory and motor activity

3

: a state of profound abstraction or absorption

trancelike

ˈtran(t)s-ˌlīk 

adjective

trance

2 of 2

verb

tranced; trancing

transitive verb

: entrance, enrapture

Synonyms

Noun

• daydreaming
• reverie
• revery
• study
• woolgathering

Examples of trance in a Sentence

Noun

The spiritual healer fell into a trance.

He was staring out the window in a trance.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

As the sun rose, organizers played the same trance track that was abruptly halted when the barrage of rockets began. —Melanie Lidman and Tia Goldenberg, Los Angeles Times, 7 Oct. 2024

The trailer features Drake in a trance while posted up in the corner of a speakeasy, sipping on a drink as he’s surrounded by chatty women not paying him any mind. —Michael Saponara, Billboard, 3 Feb. 2025

Hypnosis is a method that puts someone in a trance or dream-like state, a relaxed condition, and it has been practiced for thousands of years. —Essence, 7 Jan. 2025

This move paralyzes them and causes the whale sharks to slip into a kind of trance. —Rachel Raposas, People.com, 13 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English traunce, from Anglo-French transe death, coma, rapture, from transir to depart, die, from Latin transire to cross, pass by — more at transient

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

circa 1598, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for trance

• chance
• dance
• glance
• hance
• hanse
• lance
• manse
• prance
• stance
• advance
• askance
• enhance

Kids Definition

trance

noun

ˈtran(t)s

1

: stupor sense 1

2

: a sleeplike state (as of deep hypnosis)

3

: a state of being so deeply absorbed in something as to be unaware of one's surroundings

trancelike

-ˌlīk

adjective

Medical Definition

trance

noun

ˈtran(t)s 

1

: a sleeplike altered state of consciousness (as of deep hypnosis) usually characterized by partly suspended animation with diminished or absent sensory and motor activity and subsequent lack of recall

2

: a state of profound abstraction or absorption

trancelike

-ˌlīk 

adjective

or trance-like

a trancelike state