trance

1 of 2

noun

ˈtran(t)s 

1

: stupor, daze

2

: a sleeplike state (as of deep hypnosis) usually characterized by partly suspended animation with diminished or absent sensory and motor activity

3

: a state of profound abstraction or absorption

trancelike

ˈtran(t)s-ˌlīk 

adjective

trance

2 of 2

verb

tranced; trancing

transitive verb

: entrance, enrapture

Synonyms

Noun

• daydreaming
• reverie
• revery
• study
• woolgathering

Examples of trance in a Sentence

Noun

The spiritual healer fell into a trance.

He was staring out the window in a trance.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The smell of salt air instantly soothes my soul, the crash of rocking waves lulls me into a dreamlike trance, and the dazzling, endless blue waters take away all of my anxieties one deep breath at a time. —Vanessa Wilkins, Travel + Leisure, 11 Oct. 2024

During the session a therapist glides and twirls your body gently through the calm waters of the lagoon putting your body into a blissful trance. —Rana Good, Forbes, 9 Oct. 2024

Putting the only new female character of note in a trance for most of the film’s runtime is not a good look by any means. —David Opie, IndieWire, 7 Oct. 2024

Enticing the men with just an eye glance in the streets of London, the Bay Area representative takes her time running down the reasons that may have her suitors in a trance. —Demicia Inman, VIBE.com, 27 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English traunce, from Anglo-French transe death, coma, rapture, from transir to depart, die, from Latin transire to cross, pass by — more at transient

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

circa 1598, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

trance

noun

ˈtran(t)s

1

: stupor sense 1

2

: a sleeplike state (as of deep hypnosis)

3

: a state of being so deeply absorbed in something as to be unaware of one's surroundings

trancelike

-ˌlīk

adjective

Medical Definition

trance

noun

ˈtran(t)s 

1

: a sleeplike altered state of consciousness (as of deep hypnosis) usually characterized by partly suspended animation with diminished or absent sensory and motor activity and subsequent lack of recall

2

: a state of profound abstraction or absorption

trancelike

-ˌlīk 

adjective

or trance-like

a trancelike state