# prance

> English word · Verb · IPA /pɹæn(t)s/ · frequency rank #60,387

## Definitions
1. To spring forward on the hind legs.
2. To strut about in a showy manner.

## Etymology
From Middle English prancen, prauncen (“to prance”, literally “to show off”), variant of Middle English pranken (“to prank”), thus probably from the same ultimate root as prank. Cognate with Bavarian prangezen, prangssen (“to put on airs”), Alemannic German pranzen (“to strut”).

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