Lindy hop is a dance that began in Harlem, New York City, in the 1920s and 1930s and originally developed with the jazz music of that same time. It was popular during the Swing music and dance era of the late 1930s and early 1940s. Lindy was a combination of many dances that preceded it or were popular during its development but is mainly based upon Jazz, Tap, Breakaway, and Charleston. It is often described as a jazz dance and is a member of the swing dance family.

In its development, the Lindy Hop merged elements of both partnered and solo dancing by using the movements and improvisation of black dances along with the formal eight-count structure of European partner dances – clearly demonstrated in the Lindy’s basic step, called the Swingout. In this step’s open position, each dancer is usually connected hand-to-hand; in its closed position, leads and follows are connected as though in an embrace.

Lindy hop is sometimes referred to as a street dance, referring to its improvisational and social nature.