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

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

Yet there are drawbacks to being able to enter a trance. —Sheila Heti, Harper's Magazine, 2 Sep. 2024

Joining Thomas’s ensuing battle to save his wife from the lustful Orlok’s trance is Professor Albin Eberhart Von Franz (Willem Dafoe). —David Sims, The Atlantic, 24 Dec. 2024

Last night at a white elephant party, an In Waves vinyl record became the hottest commodity, which speaks to the album’s innate power to put experimental dance fans into a crowd-swaying trance. —Rolling Stone, 28 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

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