tap dance

noun

Synonyms of tap dancenext
1
: a step dance tapped out audibly by means of shoes with hard soles or soles and heels to which taps have been added
2
: something suggesting a tap dance
especially : an action or discourse intended to rationalize or distract
… does a clever tap dance to explain … —Campbell Geeslin
tap-dance
ˈtap-ˌdan(t)s How to pronounce tap dance (audio)
intransitive verb
tap dancer noun
tap dancing noun

Examples of tap dance in a Sentence

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.
A lot of people wanted to tap dance. — Christopher Borrelli, Chicago Tribune, 25 June 2026 This is not an unfamiliar tap dance. — Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 29 Mar. 2026 Wilson learned tap dance and ballet and appeared on Broadway at just 4 years old. — Lisa Boone, Los Angeles Times, 1 Feb. 2026 Even if a show tap dances around and tries to cover it up with firework-like acting or production elements, the play will lack spark. — Lou Fancher, Mercury News, 27 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for tap dance

Word History

First Known Use

1928, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of tap dance was in 1928

Rhymes for tap dance

See All Rhymes for tap dance

Browse Nearby Words

tap changer
tap dance
tap dancer
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Tap dance.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tap%20dance. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

tap dance

noun
: a dance tapped out loudly by means of shoes to which taps have been added
tap-dance verb
tap dancer noun
tap dancing noun

More from Merriam-Webster on tap dance

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about tap dance

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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