ballroom dance
3
3.2
- noun
- /ˈbɔːlruːm dæns/
:
baile de salón
- Much of the action, from intimate love scenes to ballroom dances, appears choreographed, and the dialogue delivery often feels arch and slightly stylized.
- ballroom dance lessons
- ballroom dance class
- ballroom dance competition
Examples
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After attending their first ballroom dance, they decided to sign up for lessons together.
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What do we truly know about ballroom dance?
Blog text (13) -
She said she would like to see a swing dance or a ballroom dance night.
Blog text (24) -
They signed up for ballroom dance lessons.
Fiction book (2002) -
We see an empty carpeted hallway and can hear a ballroom dance band playing in the distance.
Fiction book (1990) -
I have no problem with folks who like to scrapbook, make Jell-O, ballroom dance, or whatever.
Blog text (18) -
Even in Pride & Prejudice, he figured out a way to make the stereotypical "ballroom dance scene" engaging by following Knightley and Macfadyen all in one shot.
Blog text (15) -
She enrolled in a ballroom dance class to learn how to perform the waltz and tango.
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The charity event featured a beautiful ballroom dance, showcasing couples in elegant attire.
Synonyms
24
3.4
A dance for two people in three beats with graceful turns
14
3.4
Two people dance together using set steps, like the waltz and tango, often at social events or competitions
2
4.1
A lively partner dance with quick then slow steps to music
1
7.0
A very fast, lively ballroom dance with light steps
1
3.2
Moving your body to music at parties or events for people to enjoy and meet others
A lively 1920s dance with fast steps and swinging arms
Couples perform planned steps while moving in a circle to music guided by a leader
People move together in a circle following set steps, often with partners
How Formal
Surface Forms
Morphology
The meaning 'a formal social dance performed in a large hall' is directly and compositionally derived from 'ballroom' (a hall for dances) + 'dance' (moving rhythmically to music). This simple noun–noun compound follows regular English formation and has clear cross-linguistic parallels, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents would readily understand it.
Etymology
Ballroom dance comes from old ball parties that took place in a large room, where couples dressed up and danced together. So it now means a formal dance for couples in a big hall.