Dance Glossary
Comprehensive terminology for ballroom, Latin, and historical dance traditions.
A
Alignment
The direction a dancer's body faces relative to the floor and the line of dance. Dancers are aligned when their body is angled along specific walls or diagonals.
Amalgamation
A combination of standard figures chosen specifically for a demonstration or practice routine.
Anchor Step
A grounding step, often the basic step of a figure, from which other movements develop.
B
Ballroom
Partner dances danced in closed position, including Waltz, Foxtrot, Quickstep, Tango, and Viennese Waltz in Standard, or Waltz, Tango, Viennese Waltz, Foxtrot, and Quickstep in various competitive organizations.
Banquet Frame
A promenade position where the couple are side-by-side, not closed.
Beat
The unit of musical meter; the basic pulse of the music.
Bounce Action
An upward and downward movement of the body, rising from the knees and ankles without stepping, often used in Standard and Latin dances.
Bronze
The beginner competition level in many dance organizations, typically the first level a competitive dancer learns.
C
Callback
An invitation to return to the dance floor for a subsequent round in a competition; dancers who place in the top rankings are called back.
Closed Position
A frame where the partners face each other, with the leader's right arm around the follower's left side, and their left hand holding the follower's right hand.
Contra Body Movement (CBM)
A rotation of the body such that the partner opposite side leads the movement, e.g., stepping forward with the right leg while rotating the left shoulder forward.
Contredanse
A historical couple dance popular in the 18th century, featuring squares or lines of dancers.
Cotillion
An 18th-century ballroom dance similar to a quadrille, danced in a square of four couples.
D
Direction
The compass direction along which a step is taken (e.g., forward, back, side, diagonal forward right).
Double Frame
A frame in which both partners use both hands, sometimes called open double-hand frame.
E
Eleven O'Clock Position
In frame position, the leader's body angled toward the eleven o'clock direction, slightly rotated.
F
Fallaway
A figure in which the couple moves away from the line of dance while in closed position, often with a promenade position.
Feather Step
A common Standard figure (especially in Waltz and Foxtrot) where the couple progresses with a feather-light quality, named for its elegance.
Footwork
The specific part of the foot that bears weight or brushes the floor during a step (ball, heel, toe, side of foot).
Frame
The shape and position maintained between partners in ballroom dance, including posture, connection, and hand positions.
G
Gavotte
A French court dance of moderate tempo, popular in the Renaissance and Baroque eras.
Glossary
A list of terms and definitions specific to a field or art form.
H
Heat
A competition round where dancers are grouped and dance together in the same rotation.
Heel Turn
A rotational figure that turns on the heel, common in Standard dances like Waltz.
Hold
The arm and hand position maintained between dance partners; also called frame.
I
International Standard (Latin)
The competitive dance categories recognized by the World Dance Sport Federation (WDSF) and used in international competitions.
J
Jig
A quick-tempo Irish or Scottish folk dance often in 6/8 time.
K
Kinetic Connection
The dynamic communication between partners transmitted through the frame, weight, and movement quality.
L
Leader
The dancer who initiates the movement and provides direction to the partner; traditionally the male role, but can be any partner in contemporary dance.
Line of Dance
The counterclockwise direction of travel around the ballroom floor during couple dances.
M
Minuet
A stately, formal couple dance originating in France in the 17th century, popular in court dances.
Momentum
The impetus and weight-driven quality of movement that flows from one step to the next.
N
Natural Turn
A standard rotational figure that turns to the right (away from the line of dance), common in Waltz and Foxtrot.
O
Open Position
A frame where partners are side-by-side or at an angle, not directly facing each other.
Opposition
A technique principle where opposite sides of the body lead movement (e.g., right arm with left leg).
P
Phrasing
The musical structure of a piece, dividing it into distinct melodic sections that dancers often follow.
Polka
A Central European couple dance in 2/4 time, lively and bouncy, popular in the 19th century.
Promenade
A position where the couple is side-by-side, moving in the same direction, often used in Standard dances.
Promenade Position
A position where the couple is side-by-side, facing the same direction, with inside hands joined.
Q
Quickstep
A fast, bright Standard ballroom dance in 4/4 time, characterized by quick, syncopated footwork and traveling movements.
R
Reverse
A rotational movement turning to the left (toward the line of dance).
Reverse Turn
A standard rotational figure that turns to the left, common in Waltz and Foxtrot.
Rise & Fall
An up-and-down movement on the balls of the feet in Standard dances, rising on strong beats and falling on weak beats.
S
Scrutineering
The judging and evaluation process at dance competitions, where judges assess technique, musicality, and performance.
Sequin Dress
Sparkly dress worn by female ballroom dancers in competition.
Silver
The intermediate competition level in many dance organizations, between Bronze and Gold.
Standard Dances
The ballroom dances danced in closed position: Waltz, Tango, Viennese Waltz, Foxtrot, and Quickstep.
Sway
A lateral curvature of the body away from the vertical, creating a graceful, flowing quality common in Standard dances.
Swing
A lively, energetic partner dance popular in the 1930s-1940s, danced to swing jazz.
T
Tango
A passionate ballroom dance in 2/4 time, originating in Argentina, characterized by sharp, staccato movements and dramatic styling.
Tempo
The speed of the music, measured in beats per minute (BPM).
Three-Step
A basic waltz figure consisting of three steps (forward, side, together) that creates a one-measure phrase.
Time Signature
The notation indicating the meter of music, showing how many beats per measure (e.g., 4/4, 3/4, 2/4).
Timing
The precise alignment of footwork to the musical beat and phrasing.
V
Viennese Waltz
A fast waltz in 3/4 time (about 60 measures per minute), originating in Vienna, characterized by continuous rotation and simple figures.
W
Waltz
A ballroom dance in 3/4 time, danced in closed position with a rise and fall action, originating in Germany/Austria.
Weight
The placement of the dancer's body mass onto a particular foot.
Whisk
A sharp, diagonal closing action of the feet, used in Standard dances to create a moment of poise.
X
X-Alignment
A body alignment where the shoulders cross over the hips, used in some contrasting figures.
Y
Yield
A technique where the body gives in the direction of movement, allowing the follower to respond naturally.
Z
Zigzag
A pattern of alternating side steps forming a zigzag path along the floor, common in Latin dances.