to tapdance

3.4

To move the feet to make a rhythm with small metal plates on special shoes

verb
/ˈtæpˌdæns/

: zapatear

The star of the show tapdanced across the stage to thunderous applause.

Examples

She learned to tapdance when she was only seven years old.
The children tapdanced at the talent show.
I always wanted to tapdance on Broadway someday.
She can tapdance beautifully.
The talented performer will tapdance during the opening night of the show.
After months of practice, she was able to tapdance with great skill and rhythm.
When the music started, they began to tapdance in perfect harmony.

Synonyms

to dance

vsto tapdance

∞ 1.0

To move your body in time to music

focuses specifically on rhythmic foot sounds made with metal-soled shoes

to tap

vsto tapdance

44 4.1

To make rhythmic sounds with the feet when dancing

uses metal plates fixed to soles for rhythmic tapping while dancing

to clog

vsto tapdance

1 8.5

To dance with heavy stamping while wearing wooden shoes

uses metal plates on soles rather than wooden shoes for tapping

Surface Forms

tapdance infinitive

tapdanced past

tapdanced past participle

tapdancing present participle

tapdances third person singular

Morphology

tapdance = tap + dance (transparent) = tap + dance

The verb literally denotes performing the kind of dance characterized by 'tapping' sounds; the meaning follows directly from 'tap' + 'dance'.

Etymology

Tapdance comes from two simple words: tap, meaning 'a quick hit or touch that makes a sound', and dance. It means a dance made of rhythmic 'taps' with special shoes that have metal plates on the soles, so the feet themselves make the beat.