# dance

> English word · Noun · IPA /dɑːns/ · frequency rank #1,246

## Definitions
1. A sequence of rhythmic steps or movements usually performed to music, for pleasure or as a form of social interaction.
2. A social gathering where dancing is the main activity.
3. The art, profession, and study of dancing.
4. Ellipsis of electronic dance music.
5. A piece of music with a particular dance rhythm.
6. A battle of wits, especially one commonly fought between two rivals.
7. Any strenuous or difficult movement, action, or task.
8. A repetitive movement used in communication between worker honey bees.

## Etymology
From Middle English dauncen, from Anglo-Norman dauncer, from Vulgar Latin *dantiāre, of uncertain origin. Displaced Old English sealtian, and partially displaced Old English hlēapan (“to leap, dance, run”) (whence modern leap). Doublet of danza.

## Easily confused with
- **DNC** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/dance-vs-dnc)
- **done** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/dance-vs-done)
- **date** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/dance-vs-date)
- **Dave** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/dance-vs-dave)
- **dare** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/dance-vs-dare)
- **dice** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/dance-vs-dice)
- **dang** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/dance-vs-dang)
- **dine** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/dance-vs-dine)
- **Dane** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/dance-vs-dane)
- **Dani** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/dance-vs-dani)
- **Dans** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/dance-vs-dans)
- **dune** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/dance-vs-dune)
- **dank** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/dance-vs-dank)
- **daze** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/dance-vs-daze)
- **Danny** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/dance-vs-danny)
- **dense** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/dance-vs-dense)
- **Diane** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/dance-vs-diane)
- **Dante** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/dance-vs-dante)
- **Darcy** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/dance-vs-darcy)
- **dandy** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/dance-vs-dandy)

## Common misspellings (8)
`adnce`, `dacne`, `dancce`, `danec`, `dannce`, `ddance`, `dence`, `dnace`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/dance