Origin of waltz

1775–85; back formation from German Walzer a waltz (taken as walz + -er1), derivative of walzen to roll, dance; compare obsolete English walt unsteady, dial. walter to roll

OTHER WORDS FROM waltz

waltz·er, noun waltz·like, adjective

Example sentences from the Web for waltz

British Dictionary definitions for waltz

waltz
/ (wɔːls) /

noun

a ballroom dance in triple time in which couples spin around as they progress round the room
a piece of music composed for or in the rhythm of this dance

verb

to dance or lead (someone) in or as in a waltz he waltzed her off her feet
(intr) to move in a sprightly and self-assured manner
(intr) informal to succeed easily

Derived forms of waltz

waltzlike, adjective

Word Origin for waltz

C18: from German Walzer, from Middle High German walzen to roll; compare welter