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

Joey Graziadei and Jenna's Argentine tango, as well as Chandler Kinney and Brandon's Viennese waltz, received 29 out of 30 and landed them on the top of the leaderboard. —Calie Schepp, EW.com, 30 Oct. 2024

For the first time in more than 90 years, a previously unknown waltz by a renowned 19th-century composer has been uncovered. —Greta Cross, USA TODAY, 29 Oct. 2024

Verb

The one-minute preview also features new clips of Gaga and the Napoleon actor kissing in a burning room, sharing cigarette smoke through jail cell bars and waltzing under streetlights. —Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 9 Sep. 2024

Does that involve waltzing into the Baltimore Afro-American newspaper offices hoping to get one of its reporters to hand her everything on Cleo? —Manuel Betancourt, Vulture, 9 Aug. 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