noun
ballet
BAL-ay
noun
1
A classical style of formal, expressive dance, or a theatrical performance of it, usually set to music.
"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.
Common pairings
ballet dancer
ballet class
ballet shoes
Word Forms
balleted past tense, ballets plural, ballets singular
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Etymology
Borrowed from French ballet, from Italian balletto, a diminutive of ballo ("dance"), from Late Latin ballare ("to dance").