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Glite Dictionary
dance master

dance master

1 5.3
A person who teaches formal dances like ballet and the waltz
  • noun
  • /dæns ˈmæstər/
translation icon : maestro de danza
  • The annual recital featured performances from various students taught by the renowned dance master.

Examples

  • Administration of the commune is on a daily rotation basis with everyone, kids included, taking turns as "Dance Master" or "Dance Mistress."

    Blog text (10)

  • I am the samurai dance master, and I'm gonna dance your demi-plié-ing ass into the ground!

    Take Me Home Tonight (2011)

  • Dancers pranced beneath banners carried by costumed youth, under the watchful eye of the dance master.

    Academic text (1991)

  • The students eagerly followed the dance master as she demonstrated the complicated routine.

  • After years of training, he finally became a respected dance master in his community.

Synonyms

dancing-master
vsdance master
  • Archaic
1 8.9

A person who teaches dancing for formal or social events

teaches mainly in classical or formal studio settings rather than at social events

Antonyms

novice
46 3.4

A person new to an activity who has little experience

Surface Forms

dance master singular
dance masters plural

Morphology

dance + master

The meaning 'a professional who teaches dancing' is directly and compositionally derivable from 'dance' (the activity) + 'master' (an expert/teacher). This formation (X master = expert or instructor in X) is common in English and across other languages, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents would readily infer the meaning.

Etymology

The noun dance master comes from the old custom of having a skilled master lead formal dances at courts and parties. The word master meant a top teacher or expert, so dance master came to mean 'a professional who teaches dancing'.