ballet
BAL-ay
Ballet (noun) means a classical style of formal, expressive dance, or a theatrical performance of it, usually set to music. Example: “We went to see a ballet at the theatre on Saturday evening.”
noun
1
A classical style of formal, expressive dance, or a theatrical performance of it, usually set to music.
"We went to see a ballet at the theatre on Saturday evening."
"She has studied ballet since she was five years old."
"The company's production of Swan Lake sold out within a day."
How to use ballet
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA formal, technical style of dance, or a performance in that style.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
ballet dancer
ballet class
ballet shoes
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Word forms
- Plural
- ballets
- Third person singular
- ballets
- Past tense
- balleted
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
We went to see a _____ at the theatre on Saturday evening.
Etymology
Borrowed from French ballet, from Italian balletto, a diminutive of ballo ("dance"), from Late Latin ballare ("to dance").
Synonyms
View more →
concert dance
Rhymes for ballet
See all rhymes for ballet →Frequently asked questions
What does “ballet” mean?
The word “ballet” means a classical style of formal, expressive dance, or a theatrical performance of it, usually set to music. In plain terms, a formal, technical style of dance, or a performance in that style.
How do you pronounce “ballet”?
“Ballet” is pronounced BAL-ay (/bælˈeɪ/ in IPA).
How do you use “ballet” in a sentence?
Here is “ballet” used in a sentence: “She has studied ballet since she was five years old.”
What part of speech is “ballet”?
“Ballet” is a noun.
Where does the word “ballet” come from?
The word “ballet” comes from Late Latin. Borrowed from French ballet, from Italian balletto, a diminutive of ballo ("dance"), from Late Latin ballare ("to dance").
Is “ballet” a common word?
“Ballet” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
What is the difference between ballet and dance?
"Ballet" is one specific classical style of formal, expressive dance, usually performed to music, while "dance" is the general term covering all forms of rhythmic body movement. All ballet is dance, but most dance is not ballet.
What is the difference between ballet and a ballerina?
"Ballet" is the dance style or a theatrical performance of it, while a "ballerina" is a female ballet dancer who performs it. One word names the art form and the other names a performer.
What are common collocations with ballet?
"Ballet" frequently appears in phrases such as "ballet dancer," "ballet class," "ballet company," "ballet shoes," and "classical ballet." You typically say someone does or studies ballet rather than "plays" it.
Why is ballet vocabulary often in French?
Ballet developed much of its formal vocabulary in France, so many steps and positions keep French names such as plié and pirouette. That is why ballet classes around the world commonly use French terms regardless of the local language.
