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
As Eve runs to go find some sort of help, Tilly prances in Nick’s blood and licks some of it up for good measure. Erin Qualey, Vulture, 2 Oct. 2024 The prancing horses have jumped Red Bull for second in the standings, just 29 points off leaders McLaren. Kanzah Maktoum, Forbes, 27 Oct. 2024
Noun
In the clip, the formerly shy and slow-moving dog happily prances after Jeanette as the pair trots around a backyard. Kelli Bender, Peoplemag, 13 Mar. 2024 Olivia, a Scottish Fold cat, prances into the woods. Bryan West, USA TODAY, 26 Jan. 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 25 Nov. 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

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!