Performing Arts - Latin and Social Dance

Here you will learn some English words related to Latin and social dance such as "salsa", "flamenco", and "square dance".

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Performing Arts
samba [noun]

a lively, rhythmical Brazilian dance with quick steps and hip movements, often performed during Carnival

Ex:
salsa [noun]

a Latin dance with rhythmic movements, intricate footwork, and hip movements, typically danced in pairs to salsa music

a lively Mexican dance with energetic movements, fast footwork, and acrobatic lifts, typically performed to traditional Mexican music

flamenco [noun]

a passionate Spanish dance characterized by rhythmic foot stomping, hand clapping, and expressive arm movements

Ex: The guitarist accompanied the flamenco dancer .
mambo [noun]

a lively Afro-Cuban dance with syncopated steps and rhythmic hip movements

Ex: She learned mambo steps at a Latin dance studio .
bolero [noun]

a spanish dance that involves intricate footwork and graceful, flirtatious movements

Ex: At the wedding reception , the first dance of the newlyweds was a sweet , romantic bolero that brought tears to many eyes .

a Brazilian dance style characterized by its smooth, relaxed movements and rhythmic sway, often performed to bossa nova music

fandango [noun]

a lively Spanish or Portuguese folk dance with fast footwork and castanet clicking

Ex: She learned to play castanets for the fandango .
bachata [noun]

a sensual Latin dance from the Dominican Republic with hip movements, close partner connection, and rhythmic footwork, typically danced to bachata music

a lively Latin American dance known for its quick steps, syncopated rhythms, and playful hip movements, often performed by couples

Ex: She practiced the cha-cha-cha for the competition .
cumbia [noun]

a Latin dance style characterized by its lively rhythm, typically danced in pairs or groups with rhythmic steps and hip movements, originating from Colombia

forro [noun]

a Brazilian dance style with energetic movements, typically danced in pairs with close partner connection, and accompanied by accordion, triangle, and zabumba drum rhythms

tango [noun]

a passionate ballroom dance from Argentina known for its dramatic movements and intricate footwork, often performed by couples

Ex: She learned tango to express emotion through dance .

a passionate and dramatic dance style with intricate footwork, close embrace, and improvisational nature, typically danced to tango music with distinctive rhythms and melodies

merengue [noun]

a lively couple dance or its music that is originated in the Dominican Republic and Haiti, popular all over the Latin America

a provocative dance style from Puerto Rico with suggestive movements, often involving grinding and twerking motions, typically danced to reggaeton or Latin urban music with explicit lyrics

an athletic dance style that combines rock and roll music with acrobatics and lifts, characterized by high-energy movements, tricks, and lifts, typically performed in pairs or teams in competition settings

an individual dance performance without a partner, characterized by self-expression, creativity, and personal interpretation of the music

a coordinated style of dance performed by two or more individuals, characterized by shared connection, lead-and-follow dynamics, and synchronized footwork

synchronized dance performed by a group with coordinated choreography, formation changes, and group dynamics

a traditional or folk dance where participants hold hands and dance in a circular formation

a social dance where participants form a circle or closed formation and move together in unison to repeating music, characterized by simple steps and patterns

Ex: In many Indigenous cultures , the round dance holds deep cultural significance , symbolizing unity , community , and spiritual connection .

a category of partner dances performed socially or competitively in ballrooms, including styles like waltz, tango, and foxtrot

Ex: The couple excelled in ballroom dance competitions .

a type of social dance where a group of individuals perform synchronized dance movements in a line or row, often to a specific piece of music

waltz [noun]

a graceful ballroom dance performed in triple time by couples in close embrace, known for its smooth, flowing movements and romantic atmosphere

Ex: The waltz workshop provided beginners with the basic steps and techniques needed to master this classic ballroom dance , fostering a sense of confidence and enjoyment .

a social dance style characterized by participants frequently changing partners and dancing with multiple individuals throughout the course of the dance event

a vintage partnered swing dance that originated in the early 20th century, characterized by dynamic movements, spins, and intricate footwork

a high-energy group dance that emerged in African American communities in Harlem, New York City during the swing era, featuring solo jazz movements and improvisation

a dance is executed with 16 dancers arranged in a 4-by-4 square formation, comprising of 8 couples

cancan [noun]

a high-energy French dance known for its high kicks, splits, and lively group choreography

Ex:
foxtrot [noun]

a smooth ballroom dance in 4/4 time with flowing, graceful steps and a slow-quick-quick rhythm

Ex: She took lessons to master the foxtrot rhythm .

a historic social dance for four couples arranged in a square, featuring a sequence of coordinated figures

Ex: They practiced the quadrille for the costume ball .

a lively ballroom dance with fast-paced movements and syncopated rhythms, often danced by couples in a closed position

Ex: She practiced the quickstep for the dance competition .
two-step [noun]

a lively country dance performed by couples to a quick-quick-slow rhythm

Ex: She enjoys doing the two-step with friends .

a partner dance that originated in African American communities in Chicago, characterized by smooth footwork, synchronized movements, and rhythmic patterns

a genre of dance characterized by improvisation, syncopated rhythms, and expressive movements, often influenced by African American music

a lively social dance performed by four couples in a square formation, guided by a caller's cues and often accompanied by traditional music

Ex: She learned the steps for the square dance last summer .

a lively dance characterized by rhythmic bouncing movements and close physical contact between dancers

Ex: She wore a period costume while dancing the bunny hug .
cachucha [noun]

a lively Spanish dance characterized by its fast tempo, intricate footwork, and castanet accompaniment

lambada [noun]

a fast-paced, sensual Brazilian dance that originated in the 1980s, known for its close body contact, flowing movements, and catchy music

carioca [noun]

a lively Brazilian dance with samba steps, hip movements, and syncopated rhythms

Ex: At the beach party , revelers joined in the carioca , dancing with swaying hips and lively steps , immersed in the festive atmosphere of the celebration .
conga [noun]

a lively Afro-Cuban dance with repeating steps and synchronized hip and arm movements to percussion music

Ex: During the wedding reception , guests joined hands and danced the conga , creating a festive atmosphere filled with laughter and camaraderie .

a formal social dance characterized by elegant and graceful movements, often performed in a group setting, and typically featuring traditional ballroom steps and patterns

Ex: The cotillion dance class focused on teaching students the etiquette and technique of formal ballroom dancing , preparing them for upcoming social events .
habanera [noun]

a slow and rhythmic Cuban dance known for its flirtatious movements and syncopated rhythms

Ex: At the cultural festival , performers mesmerized the audience with a captivating habanera , infusing the air with the irresistible allure of Cuban dance .
macarena [noun]

a popular Spanish dance and song that gained worldwide fame in the 1990s, characterized by its catchy melody, simple dance steps, and hand gestures performed in a line dance formation

twist [noun]

a lively dance known for its swiveling hip movements and twisting motions, often performed to rock and roll music

Ex: At the retro-themed event , guests donned their 60s attire and danced the twist , transporting themselves back to the era of classic rock and roll .

a dramatic Spanish dance inspired by bullfights, featuring bold and rhythmic movements, often performed to lively Spanish music

Ex: At the cultural festival , performers dazzled the crowd with a fiery paso doble , infusing the air with the spirit of Spanish bullfighting and flamenco .

a dance form involving physical contact and partnering, using shared points of contact to create spontaneous movements through weight-sharing, momentum, and improvisation

a lively French dance known for its fast tempo, circular formations, and intricate weaving patterns

Ex: At the summer festival , revelers formed a festive farandole procession , weaving through the streets in a colorful display of community unity .

a synchronized style of dance performed by a group of dancers maintaining a specific arrangement on the dance floor

one-step [noun]

a social dance from the early 20th century, known for its simple steps and smooth gliding movements, often danced to ragtime music

Ex: At the ballroom event , guests enjoyed dancing the one-step to the nostalgic tunes of ragtime music , transporting themselves back to a simpler time .
beguine [noun]

a lively Caribbean ballroom dance known for its swaying hips, quick steps, and syncopated rhythms, often danced to Latin music

Ex: At the beachside party , guests joined in the beguine , adding a touch of Caribbean flair to the festivities with their lively movements .
Boston [noun]

a slow gliding variation of the waltz that emerged in the late 19th century, characterized by smooth movements and typically danced in 3/4 time

a dramatic French dance characterized by aggressive movements and intense storytelling, often performed to dramatic music

Ex: At the theater production , the actors seamlessly transitioned from dialogue to dance , showcasing the powerful storytelling of the Apache dance .
bump [noun]

a popular dance style introduced in the 1970s in the United States, involving partners, typically one male and one female, bumping their hips to the beat of the music

a lively rural dance event featuring simple steps, energetic movements, and community spirit

Ex: The bride and groom decided to have a barn dance for their wedding reception , creating a fun and relaxed atmosphere for their guests to celebrate .

a genre of social dance that originated in rural regions, typically involving group dances performed to traditional country or folk music

bugg [noun]

a lively partner dance that originated in Sweden and is characterized by playful, bouncy movements, typically danced to fast-paced music

a smooth partner dance with intricate footwork and elaborate hand movements, originating from African American communities