contradance: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowFormal / Technical / Historical
Quick answer
What does “contradance” mean?
A type of folk or social dance performed by couples in two long lines facing each other.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A type of folk or social dance performed by couples in two long lines facing each other.
The music composed for such a dance. Can also refer to a specific dance form (and its music) originating from English country dances, popular in 17th-19th century Europe and America.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In the UK, the preferred term is often "country dance." "Contradance" is a more direct borrowing from the French term 'contredanse' and is more common in American folk dance contexts, especially referring to its modern revival. In US, 'contra dance' (as one word or two) is a common variant spelling.
Connotations
In the UK, associated with traditional English folk heritage. In the US, associated with New England and Appalachian folk revival communities.
Frequency
Very low frequency in general English. Slightly higher in American English within specific folk culture circles.
Grammar
How to Use “contradance” in a Sentence
attend [a/the] contradancedance [the] contradanceplay [a/the] contradanceVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “contradance” in a Sentence
verb
American English
- They often contradance at the community hall on Saturdays.
adjective
American English
- He's a well-known contradance caller in New England.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Extremely rare. Might appear in event planning for cultural festivals.
Academic
Used in musicology, dance history, and folklore studies.
Everyday
Rare, except in communities with active folk dance traditions.
Technical
Used in dance notation and folk music classification.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “contradance”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “contradance”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “contradance”
- Misspelling as 'contra dance' or 'contre-danse'. Using it as a general term for any partner dance. Confusing it with 'square dance,' which has a different formation.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
A contradance is performed in two long lines of couples facing each other, while a square dance is performed by four couples arranged in a square formation.
It is rarely used as a verb, but in specific folk dance communities, especially in American English, it can be used (e.g., 'We go contradancing every week'). The noun form is far more common.
Primarily at folk music and dance festivals, historical reenactment events, and within dedicated folk dance clubs or societies, particularly in regions like New England in the USA.
The variation reflects the word's etymology: from the French 'contredanse' (itself from English 'country dance'). 'Contradance' is a common Anglicisation, 'contra dance' reflects its modern revival spelling, and 'contredanse' is the original French term used in historical contexts.
A type of folk or social dance performed by couples in two long lines facing each other.
Contradance is usually formal / technical / historical in register.
Contradance: in British English it is pronounced /ˈkɒn.trə.dɑːns/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈkɑːn.trə.dæns/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine COUNTRy dancers in two lines moving in CONTRAsting directions. CONTRAry lines in a dance = CONTRAdance.
Conceptual Metaphor
SOCIAL INTERACTION IS A CHOREOGRAPHED PATTERN.
Practice
Quiz
What is a 'contradance' primarily associated with?