Sashay: meaning, definitions and examples

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sashay

 

[ səˈʃeɪ ]

Verb / Noun
Context #1 | Verb

dance

To glide, move, or proceed easily or nonchalantly

Synonyms

glide, strut, swagger.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
sashay

Often used to describe a confident or flamboyant walk, typically by someone who wants to be noticed. Best used in informal or playful contexts.

  • She sashayed into the room, attracting everyone's attention.
  • He sashayed down the runway like a seasoned model.
glide

Describes a smooth, effortless movement, often suggesting grace or elegance. Suitable for both formal and informal situations.

  • The skaters glided across the ice with precision.
  • She glided through the dance floor, catching everyone's eye.
strut

Refers to walking in a proud, confident way, often with an exaggerated display of self-importance or arrogance. Can be used in both neutral and negative contexts.

  • After winning the game, he strutted around the field.
  • She strutted into the meeting like she owned the place.
swagger

Implies walking with a bold, self-assured style, often associated with overconfidence or arrogance. Generally used in informal contexts and can have a negative connotation.

  • He swaggered into the bar as if he was the owner.
  • After his promotion, he walked with a noticeable swagger.

Examples of usage

  • She sashayed across the dance floor.
  • He sashayed out of the room with a confident stride.
Context #2 | Noun

fashion

A dramatic movement of the hips while walking

Synonyms

hip movement, hip sway.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
sashay

Can be used to describe a confident and stylish walk, often with exaggerated movements of the hips. It has a showy and flamboyant connotation, suitable for contexts where you want to highlight a dramatic or confident entrance or movement.

  • She sashayed down the runway, turning heads with her confident stride.
  • He sashayed into the room, making a grand entrance that everyone noticed.
hip sway

Used to describe a gentle and rhythmic side-to-side movement of the hips. It often has a smooth and relaxed connotation, typically associated with dancing or casual movement.

  • Her hip sway was captivating, synchronizing perfectly with the music.
  • The dancer's hip sway added a graceful element to her performance.
hip movement

A general term that can refer to any type of movement involving the hips, without any specific emotional or visual connotation. It is often used in a neutral, descriptive manner.

  • During the dance, the instructor focused on improving everyone's hip movement.
  • Good hip movement is essential for performing this type of exercise correctly.

Examples of usage

  • She added a sashay to her walk to make it more captivating.
  • The model's sashay down the runway caught everyone's attention.

Translations

Translations of the word "sashay" in other languages:

🇵🇹 desfilar

🇮🇳 चलना

🇩🇪 flanieren

🇮🇩 berjalan dengan anggun

🇺🇦 крокувати

🇵🇱 przechadzać się

🇯🇵 さっそうと歩く

🇫🇷 se pavaner

🇪🇸 pavonearse

🇹🇷 salınarak yürümek

🇰🇷 우아하게 걷다

🇸🇦 يتبختر

🇨🇿 kráčet

🇸🇰 kráčať

🇨🇳 迈步

🇸🇮 korakati

🇮🇸 ganga með stæl

🇰🇿 ойнақтап жүру

🇬🇪 სალაღობო სიარული

🇦🇿 salınaraq gəzmək

🇲🇽 pavonearse

Etymology

The word 'sashay' originated in the early 19th century in the United States. It is believed to have derived from the French word 'chassé' meaning 'to chase' or 'to glide'. Over time, 'sashay' has evolved to represent a stylish and confident movement, especially in dance or fashion.

Word Frequency Rank

At position #40,457, this word is among the less frequently used terms in English. While interesting to know, it's not crucial for most English learners unless needed for specific purposes.