prance

1 of 2

verb

pranced; prancing

intransitive verb

1
: to spring from the hind legs or move by so doing
2
: to ride on a prancing horse
3
: to walk or move in a spirited manner : strut
also : to dance about

transitive verb

: to cause (a horse) to prance
prancer noun

prance

2 of 2

noun

: an act or instance of prancing
specifically : a prancing movement

Examples of prance in a Sentence

Verb The singer pranced around on stage. The little boy pranced across the room in his cowboy costume.
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.
Verb
Her hope is that the Lions will let her tag along for a bit in a floppy throwback outfit, a living, prancing contrast to the mostly mediocre old days before the team was 12-1 and finding ways to win instead of inventing ways to lose. Neal Rubin, Detroit Free Press, 12 Dec. 2024 Brown broke free one play later and pranced into the end zone for a 31-yard rushing score. Joe Arruda, Hartford Courant, 2 Nov. 2024
Noun
Now pundits delight in the prance to the race, As Philly inches closer to America's big birthday. Isaac Avilucea, Axios, 23 Dec. 2024 On tours at Farm Sanctuary, guides introduce visitors to goats who make family groups; cows who, when no longer confined to dairy barns, prance and play and take care of their young; and pigs who, given the space, build themselves nests in a barn but go outside to relieve themselves. Melanie Stetson Freeman, The Christian Science Monitor, 22 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for prance 

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English prauncen

First Known Use

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Noun

1893, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of prance was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near prance

Cite this Entry

“Prance.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/prance. Accessed 30 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

prance

verb
ˈpran(t)s
pranced; prancing
1
: to rise up or move about on the hind legs
2
: to ride on a prancing horse
3
: to walk or move about in a lively and proud manner : strut
prance noun
prancer
ˈpran(t)-sər
noun

More from Merriam-Webster on prance

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