Social dance is a major category or classification of danceforms or dance styles, where sociability and socializing are the primary focuses of the dancing.

Gaskell Ball

This compares to other major categories based on purpose:

Ceremonial dance - Competitive dance - Erotic dance - Participation dance - Performance dance

Many social dances are partner dances. In fact, quite often when spoken about social dances, ballroom or other partner dances are kept in mind. However it is natural to include in this category such groups of dances as circle dances, line dances, novelty dances, or simply club dancing in solo.

• Ballroom dance
• Swing dance
• Club dance
• Country and Western dance
• Ethnic dance
• Folk dance
• Scottish country dance
• Square dance
• Street dance
• Tango

There may be aspects of any of the above dance forms that are either competitive or performance-oriented in nature.