1.
dancer; dancing girl
A person, especially a young woman, who dances professionally or as a performer. Often evokes a traditional or literary image.
Compound of 踊り (dancing) + 子 (person, child). The word carries a traditional, somewhat romantic connotation compared to the modern loanword ダンサー.
Common collocations
Cultural note
川端康成の短編小説『伊豆の踊り子』(The Izu Dancer, 1926) is one of the most famous works in Japanese literature, telling the story of a student's encounter with a troupe of traveling performers. The word 踊り子 is strongly associated with this work.