prance

Meaning

Verb

1. To spring forward on the hind legs.
2. (colloquial, figuratively) To strut about in a showy manner.

Noun

A prancing movement.

Synonyms

swagger

caper

jump

strut

leap

frisk

spring

dance

💃

gambol

bound

cock

cavort

skip

caracole

sashay

romp

hop

frolic

bounce

buck

jig

kick

mince

mount

ruffle

spring up

start

tittup

play pranks

ramp

rear

rebound

recoil

ride

rollick

gallop

trip the light fantastic

ascend

shake

🫨

show off

flounce

somersault

curvet

backflip

posture

streamers

brandish

bestride

jerk

tap

Translations

pavaner

caracoler

bocken

rumhüpfen

αναπηδώ

gambade

herumtanzen

herumhüpfen

paradieren

tänzeln

rumtanzen

κορδώνομαι

sautiller

se pavaner

scalciare

Pronounced as (IPA)

/pɹæn(t)s/

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English: prancen

Inherited from Middle English: pranken

Cognate with Bavarian: prangezen

Cognate with Swiss German: pranzen

In summary

From Middle English prancen, prauncen (“to prance”, literally “to show off”), variant of Middle English pranken (“to prank”), thus probably from the same ultimate root as prank. Cognate with Bavarian prangezen, prangssen (“to put on airs”), Alemannic German pranzen (“to strut”).