noun
Common
morris
MO-rihs
Morris (noun) means a traditional English folk dance performed by groups of dancers, often with bells, sticks, or handkerchiefs. Example: “On May morning the villagers gathered to watch the morris outside the pub.”
noun
1
A traditional English folk dance performed by groups of dancers, often with bells, sticks, or handkerchiefs.
"On May morning the villagers gathered to watch the morris outside the pub."
"The village fair featured a team of morris dancers in bright ribbons."
"They learned morris steps for the summer festival."
verb
1
To perform this traditional folk dance.
"Every summer the men in white shirts morris along the high street waving handkerchiefs."
"We watched them morris around the green while bells jingled on their legs."
"The troupe morrised through the town square to the sound of accordions."
How to use morris
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA folk dance from England, performed in costume with bells or sticks, or the act of performing it.
Common pairings
morris dancing
morris dancers
a morris side
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like morris.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Plural
- morrises
- Third person singular
- morrises
- Past tense
- morrised
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
On May morning the villagers gathered to watch the _____ outside the pub.
Etymology
Ultimately from "Moorish," as the dance was historically associated with exotic or foreign costume and disguise.
Rhymes for morris
See all rhymes for morris →Frequently asked questions
What does “morris” mean?
The word “morris” means a traditional English folk dance performed by groups of dancers, often with bells, sticks, or handkerchiefs. In plain terms, a folk dance from England, performed in costume with bells or sticks, or the act of performing it.
How do you pronounce “morris”?
“Morris” is pronounced MO-rihs (/ˈmɒɹɪs/ in IPA).
How do you use “morris” in a sentence?
Here is “morris” used in a sentence: “The village fair featured a team of morris dancers in bright ribbons.”
What part of speech is “morris”?
Depending on how it is used, “morris” can be a noun and a verb.
Is “morris” a common word?
“Morris” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “morris” have?
“Morris” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a traditional English folk dance performed by groups of dancers, often with bells, sticks, or handkerchiefs.
What is a morris dance?
A morris dance is a traditional English folk dance performed by groups of dancers, often using bells, sticks, or handkerchiefs. It is usually accompanied by live music and linked with seasonal celebrations.
Should "morris" be capitalised in "morris dance"?
The word "morris" in "morris dance" is generally written in lowercase. It is capitalised only when it appears as a personal name or surname, or at the start of a sentence.
Can "morris" be used as a verb?
Yes. As a verb, "morris" means to perform this traditional folk dance, as in "they morris every May Day." This verb use is much less common than the noun.
Featured in
Vocabulary lists that include morris:
