folk-dance

A group performs a lively folk-dance at a community festival.

Definition

1. Noun:

   • A traditional dance: "folk-dance" refers to a dance that is part of the traditional culture of a particular community or region, often performed at social gatherings or celebrations.
   • A piece of music for such a dance: "folk-dance" can also mean the music composed to accompany a traditional dance.

2. Verb:

   • To perform a traditional dance: "folk-dance" means to engage in dancing that is characteristic of a specific folk tradition.

Usage Examples

• Noun:

  • The festival featured a lively folk-dance from the highlands. (A traditional dance performed at the event.)
  • She learned the steps to a Bulgarian folk-dance. (A specific traditional dance style.)

• Verb:

  • They folk-danced around the bonfire all night. (They performed traditional dances together.)
  • The group folk-dances every Saturday at the community center. (They regularly engage in traditional dancing.)

Advanced Usage

• "folk-dance troupe": a group of performers specializing in traditional dances.

  • The folk-dance troupe wore colorful costumes during the parade. (A group dedicated to performing cultural dances.)

• "folk-dance music": the musical accompaniment specifically for traditional dances.

  • The folk-dance music was played on fiddles and drums. (Music tied to the dance tradition.)

Variants and Related Words

• Folk dancer (noun): a person who performs folk dances.

  • She is an accomplished folk dancer from Hungary. (A performer of traditional dances.)

• Folk dancing (noun): the activity or art of performing folk dances.

  • Folk dancing is a popular hobby in many rural communities. (The practice of traditional dancing.)

Synonyms

• Traditional dance: a dance that is passed down through generations within a culture.
• Ethnic dance: a dance associated with a particular ethnic group or region.

Related Idioms

• "Dance to a different tune": to change one's behavior or attitude, often used metaphorically (not directly related to folk-dance but can be used in context).
  • After the festival, the villagers danced to a different tune. (They adopted a new approach or mood.)

Phrasal Verbs

• Folk-dance along: to join in a traditional dance with others.

  • Everyone was invited to folk-dance along to the music. (To participate in the dance.)

• Folk-dance through: to perform a folk dance from beginning to end.

  • They folk-danced through the entire set of songs. (They completed the dance sequence.)