folk dance

or folk·dance (fōk′dăns′)

a. A traditional dance originating among the common people of a nation or region.

b. The music for such a dance.

2. A social gathering at which folk dances are performed.

folk′-dance′ adj.

folk dancer n.

folk dancing n.

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:

Noun

folk dancing - a style of dancing that originated among ordinary people (not in the royal courts)

folk dance

social dancing - dancing as part of a social occasion

farandole - a lively dance from Provence; all the dancers join hands and execute various figures

mazurka - a Polish national dance in triple time

polka - a Bohemian dance with 3 steps and a hop in fast time

morris dance, morris dancing - any of various English folk dances performed by dancers in costume

sword dance, sword dancing - any of various dances by men who step nimbly over swords or flourish them in the air

hornpipe - a British solo dance performed by sailors

jig - any of various old rustic dances involving kicking and leaping

contra danse, contradance, contredanse, country dancing, country-dance - a type of folk dance in which couples are arranged in sets or face one another in a line

ring dance, round dance - a folk dance; dancers form a circle

rhumba, rumba - a folk dance in duple time that originated in Cuba with Spanish and African elements; features complex footwork and violent movement

Mentioned in

References in periodicals archive

Most members had already been part of different dance groups in the Philippines, but some were only introduced to folk dancing when they came to Dubai.

Filipino dance troupe in Dubai preserves Filipino heritage

Folk dancing has played a major role in Eugene resident Janet Moelzer's life.

Rhythmic folk

Through folk dancing and music, they have been instrumental in keeping Estonian culture alive in the United States and have played a major role in introducing Estonia to Portland, and other West Coast cities in the US and Canada, and to other locations outside of Estonia.

Recognition for preserving and promoting Estonian folk art for mother-daughter team

NESTON FOLK DANCE CLUB: Come and enjoy English Folk Dancing to live music at the URC Community Hall, Parkgate Road/Moorside Lane, Neston.

NESTON

Over 2 000 participants are expected along with 150 staff, 200 people from folk dancing troupes, and 80 representatives of craft associations.

Bulgaria Attempts to Break Guinness Egg Dyeing Record

He has called, taught and written about folk dancing for more than 40 years.

NO PEEPING.. GET DANCING! Folk

This small volume on folk dancing in America today examines the history and future of this popular pastime.

Folk dancing

Dawnswyr Bro Taf are a successful children's group who specialise in traditional Welsh clogging and folk dancing.

Successful folk dance groups who are taking Welsh culture around the world

Documentary Still Folk Dancing After All These Years (BBC4,9pm) STRICTLYL Come Dancing may be dominating the headlines as far as dance is concerned, but don't let it make you believe there's nothing more to the art form than ballroom and Latin.

Strictly off the beaten track

MUSCAT | Sharing of folk dancing can lead to a greater understanding between countries, according to artiste and activist Mallika Sarabhai.

Dance, music foster better understanding, says Mallika

Folk dancing in different regions of Pakistan reflects the mood, occupation and surroundings of the people, said a participant of the show.

Potohari musical festival concludes

In Canada, with the exception of social dancing, there is little survival folk dancing; it is difficult to determine precisely the amount of survival dancing that remains.

Folk dance revival strategies