waltz

1 of 2

noun

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
In 1967, Janis accidentally discovered two previously unknown manuscripts of Chopin waltzes in France and later found two others while teaching at Yale University. Mike Barnes, The Hollywood Reporter, 17 Mar. 2024 Byron Janis, an American pianist renowned for his commanding performances of the Romantic repertory and for his discovery of manuscript copies of two Chopin waltzes, died on Thursday in Manhattan. Allan Kozinn, New York Times, 17 Mar. 2024 In these spare road ballads and cowgirl waltzes, Williamson reads Raymond Carver aloud by a pool bar, drinks with boys who worship Townes, and squints at an ex whose new girlfriends just keep getting younger. Pitchfork, 6 Dec. 2023 Tejano music has its roots in South and Central Texas and blends music styles from Northern Mexico, along with German and Czech polka and waltzes, and incorporates instruments like the accordion. Alaa Elassar, CNN, 15 Feb. 2024 He's credited with bringing waltzes, polkas and cowboy songs into mainstream country music and also bringing the musicians union to the Grand Ole Opry. Alex Groth, Journal Sentinel, 21 Feb. 2024 Their waltz nabbed them 21 out of 30, earning a seven from each of the judges, marking her best finish thus far this season. EW.com, 17 Oct. 2023 Data Minimization: The Waltz Of Privacy Preservation Imagine data minimization as a graceful waltz—each step carefully measured and each move a deliberate act to preserve the sanctity of personal information. Kannan Venkatraman, Forbes, 12 Feb. 2024 What is nicer than holding a lovely lady in your arms and dancing a beautiful waltz or two-step together? Soumya Karlamangla, New York Times, 7 Feb. 2024
Verb
Whoever prevails will waltz into Super Bowl LVIII on Feb. 11 and compete against the winner of Sunday's Detroit Lions versus San Francisco 49ers game. Anthony Robledo, USA TODAY, 22 Feb. 2024 The children took turns waltzing with the clowns and tumbling and tripping on Ali’s oversized shoes, provoking a riot of laughter. Anand Gopal, The New Yorker, 11 Mar. 2024 Governor Mark Robinson defeated two other Republican candidates on Super Tuesday, waltzing to a contest against Democratic nominee current Attorney General Josh Stein. James Powel, USA TODAY, 6 Mar. 2024 The original is a midtempo waltz about finding joy in the ordinary, first sung on Broadway by Mary Martin a year before Coltrane’s historic Atlantic sessions. Jeff MacGregor, Smithsonian Magazine, 5 Jan. 2024 The debutantes waltzed and spun their white dresses in romantic ripples; the aerial view enjoyed by the attendees in their seats and boxes was downright dazzling. Lilah Ramzi, Vogue, 13 Feb. 2024 Then, with 1:41 left in the third, rookie fullback Ron Davenport took a handoff and went off left tackle, trucking over Browns safety Don Rogers in the hole and waltzing into the end zone. Steve Svekis, Sun Sentinel, 12 Jan. 2024 Then there was international rockstar Lenny Kravitz who waltzed onto the red carpet in an all-black cutout tuxedo suit. Kerane Marcellus, Essence, 15 Jan. 2024 Before the Globes, consensus held that Bradley Cooper would waltz his way to the Oscar podium, until Murphy took Best Actor in Drama as part of the Oppenheimer surge. Vulture, 12 Jan. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'waltz.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of waltz was in 1781

Dictionary Entries Near waltz

Cite this Entry

“Waltz.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/waltz. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

waltz

1 of 2 noun
: 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

More from Merriam-Webster on waltz

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