waltz

1 of 2

noun

1
: a ballroom dance in ³/₄ time with strong accent on the first beat and a basic pattern of step-step-close
2
: music for a waltz or a concert composition in ³/₄ time

waltz

2 of 2

verb

waltzed; waltzing; waltzes

intransitive verb

1
: to dance a waltz
2
: to move or advance in a lively or conspicuous manner : flounce
3
a
: to advance easily and successfully : breeze
often used with through
b
: to approach boldly
used with up
can't just waltz up and introduce ourselves

transitive verb

1
: to dance a waltz with
2
: to grab and lead (someone) unceremoniously : march
waltzer noun

Examples of waltz in a Sentence

Noun They danced a waltz together. Johann Strauss wrote many beautiful waltzes. Verb He waltzed with his daughter at her wedding. He waltzed her around the dance floor. He came waltzing into the room. She waltzed right up to him and introduced herself.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Which is just what the young Aurora woman and Batavia man did every weekend – from the two-step to the polka to the waltz – for pretty much the rest of their lives. Denise Crosby, Chicago Tribune, 13 Feb. 2025 The event kicked off with an opening dance, before the debutantes lined up for a waltz with their fathers, who were then passed onto their cavaliers for dancing with a live band. Kristen Bateman, Vogue, 1 Dec. 2024
Verb
If President Donald Trump had his way, guests at the White House would be waltzing in a grand ballroom, not jostling for space in its largest room. Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy, USA TODAY, 6 Feb. 2025 Jaden Smith waltzed onto the Grammys red carpet early on Sunday night in a demure black Louis Vuitton suit with, well, a castle on his head. Jacob Gallagher, New York Times, 3 Feb. 2025 See all Example Sentences for waltz 

Word History

Etymology

Noun

borrowed from German Walzer, from walzen "to turn from one side to another, roll" (going back to Middle High German, "to roll over") + -er -er entry 2 — more at welter entry 1

Verb

derivative of waltz entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

1781, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

circa 1794, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of waltz was in 1781

Dictionary Entries Near waltz

Cite this Entry

“Waltz.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/waltz. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.

Kids Definition

waltz

1 of 2 noun
: a ballroom dance in ¾ time with strong accent on the first beat
also : music for a waltz

waltz

2 of 2 verb
1
a
: to dance a waltz
b
: to dance a waltz with
2
a
: to proceed easily and successfully : breeze
waltzed through the test
b
: to approach boldly
can't just waltz up and introduce ourselves

More from Merriam-Webster on waltz

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