waltz

Etymology

From German Walzer, from walzen (“to dance”), from Old High German walzan (“to turn”), from Proto-Germanic *walt- (“to turn”), from Proto-Indo-European *wel- (“to turn”). Doublet of valse. More at *waltaną.

noun

1. A ballroom dance in 3/4 time.
2. A piece of music for this dance (or in triple time).
3. (informal) A simple task.

verb

1. (intransitive, transitive) To dance the waltz (with).
   They waltzed for twenty-one hours and seventeen minutes straight, setting a record.
   While waltzing her around the room, he stepped on her toes only once.
   "Can you flamenco?" "If I have to. How about you?" "Love, I can barely waltz. Jive a bit if I'm pissed enough." 2010, Peter Corris, Torn Apart, Allen and Unwin, page 212
2. (intransitive, transitive, usually with in, into, around, etc.) To move briskly and unhesitatingly, especially in an inappropriately casual manner, or when unannounced or uninvited.
   He waltzed into the room like he owned the place.
   You can't just waltz him in here without documentation!
   Oxlade-Chamberlain, 18, became the youngest English Champions League scorer when he waltzed across the area to plant a low shot into the corner. September 28, 2011, Tom Rostance, “Arsenal 2 - 1 Olympiakos”, in BBC Sport
   The women in Ms. Telfer’s book waltz right by societal rules that would leave the rest of us at a standstill. We are left tsk-tsking, while also in awe. 2021-02-25, Mara Altman, “Glitzy, Tragic and Selfish: Female Con Artists Waltz by Society’s Rules”, in The New York Times, →ISSN
3. (informal) To accomplish a task with little effort.
   Don't worry about the interview — you'll waltz it.
4. (transitive) To move with fanfare.