ETYM German walzer, from walzen to roll, revolve, dance, Old High Germ. walzan to roll; akin to AS. wealtan. Related to Welter.
1. A ballroom dance in triple time with a strong accent on the first beat; SYN. valse.
2. Music composed in triple time for waltzing.
Ballroom dance in moderate triple time (3/4) that developed in Germany and Austria during the late 18th century from the Austrian Ländler (traditional peasants’ country dance). Associated particularly with Vienna and the Strauss family, the waltz has remained popular up to the present day and has inspired composers including Chopin, Brahms, and Ravel.

To dance a waltz; SYN. waltz around.