waltz

1 of 2

noun

ˈwȯl(t)s 

1

: a ballroom dance in ³/₄ time with strong accent on the first beat and a basic pattern of step-step-close

2

: music for a waltz or a concert composition in ³/₄ time

waltz

2 of 2

verb

waltzed; waltzing; waltzes

intransitive verb

1

: to dance a waltz

2

: to move or advance in a lively or conspicuous manner : flounce

3

a

: to advance easily and successfully : breeze

—often used with through

b

: to approach boldly

—used with up

can't just waltz up and introduce ourselves

transitive verb

1

: to dance a waltz with

2

: to grab and lead (someone) unceremoniously : march

waltzer noun

Examples of waltz in a Sentence

Noun

They danced a waltz together.

Johann Strauss wrote many beautiful waltzes.

Verb

He waltzed with his daughter at her wedding.

He waltzed her around the dance floor.

He came waltzing into the room.

She waltzed right up to him and introduced herself.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

And tying Danny and Witney for the top spot was Bachelor star Joey Graziadei with his romantic Viennese waltz. —Calie Schepp, EW.com, 16 Oct. 2024

Related Articles The dance of commercial real estate is a complex waltz 3 bidders for Laguna Niguel’s ‘Ziggurat’ up price $92.6 million. —Allen Buchanan, Orange County Register, 28 Sep. 2024

Verb

With Venom: The Last Dance waltzing into theaters on Oct. 25, there's no better time than the present to reacquaint yourself with the saga of Eddie Brock (Tom Hardy), the journalist infected with an alien symbiote that imbues him with superhuman powers. —Declan Gallagher, EW.com, 23 Oct. 2024

When the opening was large, many cats waltzed right through without hesitation. —Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 17 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

borrowed from German Walzer, from walzen "to turn from one side to another, roll" (going back to Middle High German, "to roll over") + -er -er entry 2 — more at welter entry 1

Verb

derivative of waltz entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

1781, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

circa 1794, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Phrases Containing waltz

• waltz off with

Kids Definition

waltz

1 of 2 noun

ˈwȯl(t)s 

: a ballroom dance in ¾ time with strong accent on the first beat

also : music for a waltz

waltz

2 of 2 verb

1

a

: to dance a waltz

b

: to dance a waltz with

2

a

: to proceed easily and successfully : breeze

waltzed through the test

b

: to approach boldly

can't just waltz up and introduce ourselves