What does "watusi" mean?
A popular African-inspired dance of the 1960s, fueled by the success of the song The Wah-Watusi by The Orlons in 1962.
Watusi
noun, verb
noun, verb ·Rare ·Advanced level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: A popular African-inspired dance of the 1960s, fueled by the success of the song The Wah-Watusi by The Orlons in 1962.
- Grammar: watusi is listed as noun, verb.
- Nearest alternatives: ankole-watusi, ankole-watusi cattle, cattle breed, dance.
- Useful contrasts: non Watusi, non Watusi cattle, non horned cattle.
- Usage evidence: Baby, baby, that's the way it goes Nothing happens when you Mash Potatoes I just gotta fall in love with you Watusi is the dance to do Wah-a, wah, wah-a Watusi C'mon and take a chance and get-a with this dance.
How to use "watusi"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "watusi" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "watusi" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "watusi" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "watusi" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "watusi" is acting as noun, verb in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "ankole-watusi" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "watusi", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 A popular African-inspired dance of the 1960s, fueled by the success of the song The Wah-Watusi by The Orlons in 1962.
"Baby, baby, that's the way it goes Nothing happens when you Mash Potatoes I just gotta fall in love with you Watusi is the dance to do Wah-a, wah, wah-a Watusi C'mon and take a chance and get-a with this dance."
- 2 A member of a Bantu-speaking people living in Rwanda and Burundi; the Tutsi.
- 3 a member of a Bantu speaking people living in Rwanda and Burundi wordnet
- 4 A Christmas firework popular in the Philippines, made with yellow phosphorus, potassium chlorate, potassium nitrate, and trinitrotoluene.
- 5 A cow of a modern American breed.
"Watusis are recommended for crossing (with Longhorns) to obtain good roping cattle for the rodeo."
Show 1 more definition
- 6 Alternative form of watusi (“1960s dance”). alt-of, alternative
Verb
- 1 To dance the watusi. intransitive
"[…] but in the middle of it all will be some preposterous, highly charged, not to mention boob-driven image of some chick watusiing away atop an oil rig."
Synonyms
All synonymsAntonyms
non Watusinon Watusi cattlenon horned cattleoutsider group
Example
"Baby, baby, that's the way it goes Nothing happens when you Mash Potatoes I just gotta fall in love with you Watusi is the dance to do Wah-a, wah, wah-a Watusi C'mon and take a chance and get-a with this dance."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "watusi"?
Common synonyms include: ankole-watusi, ankole-watusi cattle, cattle breed, dance, ethnic group, ethnic watusi.
How do you use "watusi" in a sentence?
Baby, baby, that's the way it goes Nothing happens when you Mash Potatoes I just gotta fall in love with you Watusi is the dance to do Wah-a, wah, wah-a Watusi C'mon and take a chance and get-a with this dance.