ballet

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ballet

a classical dance; a company of ballet dancers

Not to be confused with:

ballot – a slip of paper on which a voter marks his or her choice; voting in general

bal·let

(bă-lā′, băl′ā′)

1. A classical dance form characterized by grace and precision of movement and by elaborate formal gestures, steps, and poses.

2. A theatrical presentation of group or solo dancing to a musical accompaniment, usually with costume and scenic effects, conveying a story or theme.

3. A musical composition written or used for this dance form.

[French, from Italian balletto, diminutive of ballo, dance, from ballare, to dance; see ballerina.]

bal·let′ic (bă-lĕt′ĭk) adj.

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

ballet

(ˈbæleɪ; bæˈleɪ)

1. (Ballet)

a. a classical style of expressive dancing based on precise conventional steps with gestures and movements of grace and fluidity

b. (as modifier): ballet dancer.

2. (Ballet) a theatrical representation of a story or theme performed to music by ballet dancers

3. (Ballet) a troupe of ballet dancers

4. (Classical Music) a piece of music written for a ballet

[C17: from French, from Italian balletto literally: a little dance, from ballare to dance; see ball²]

balletic adj

Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014

bal•let

(bæˈleɪ, ˈbæl eɪ)

n.

1. theatrical dance characterized by graceful, balanced movements with fully extended limbs, initiated from a restricted set of body positions.

2. a theatrical work incorporating ballet dancing, music, and scenery to tell a story or convey a thematic atmosphere.

3. a company of ballet dancers.

[1660–70; < French, Middle French < Italian balletto]

bal•let•ic (bæˈlɛt ɪk, bə-) adj.

bal•let′i•cal•ly, adv.

ballet

A form of dance with unique traditions and techniques. It has been defined as a synthesis of arts: dancing, drama, music and decor.

ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:

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Noun	1.	ballet - a theatrical representation of a story that is performed to music by trained dancers concert dance pas - (ballet) a step in dancing (especially in classical ballet) pirouette - (ballet) a rapid spin of the body (especially on the toes as in ballet) choreography, stage dancing - a show involving artistic dancing pas seul, variation - (ballet) a solo dance or dance figure pas de deux, duet - (ballet) a dance for two people (usually a ballerina and a danseur noble) pas de trois - (ballet) a dance for three people pas de quatre - (ballet) a dance for four people classical ballet - a style of ballet based on precise conventional steps performed with graceful and flowing movements modern ballet - a style of ballet that admits a wider variety of movements comedy ballet - a ballet that stresses the drama with features of comedy chasse, sashay - (ballet) quick gliding steps with one foot always leading glissade - (ballet) a gliding or sliding step in ballet turnout - (ballet) the outward rotation of a dancer's leg from the hip elevation - (ballet) the height of a dancer's leap or jump; "a dancer of exceptional elevation" act - a subdivision of a play or opera or ballet
	2.	ballet - music written for a ballet music - an artistic form of auditory communication incorporating instrumental or vocal tones in a structured and continuous manner

ballet

noun

Related words
like balletomania
enthusiast balletomane

Ballet steps and terms

abstract or absolute ballet, adagio or adage, allegro, allongé, aplomb, arabesque, assemblé, attitude, balancé, ballerina, ballet blanc, ballet d'action, ballet de cour, ballon, ballonné, ballotté or pas ballotté, battement, batterie, battu, Benesh notation, brisé or pas de brisé, cabriole, Cecchetti method, changement or changement de pieds, chassé or pas de chassé, ciseaux or pas ciseaux, classical ballet, contretemps, cou-de-pied, coupé or pas coupé, croisé, croisé derrière, croisé devant, déboulé, decor, défilé de corps de ballet, dégagé, demi-plié, demi-pointe, détournée, dévelopée or temps dévelopée, ecarté, échappé or pas échappé, emboîté, elevation, enchaînement, en couronne, en dedans, en dehors, en l'air, en pointe, en tire-bouchon, entrechat, entrée de ballet, failli, figurant, foudroyant, fouetté en tournant, gargouillade, glissade, grand écart, grande plié, jeté, ouvert, pas, pas de bourée, pas de bourée couru, pas de chat, pas de deux, pas de sissonne, passé, pirouette, plié, pointe, ports de bras, premier danseur or (fem.) première danceuse, prima ballerina, prima ballerina assoluta, raccourci, relevé, romantic ballet, rond de jambe, sickling, soubresaut, soutenu, Stepanov notation, sur place, temps de cuisse, temps de flèche, temps de poisson, temps levé, temps lié, terre à terre, toe-dance, tombé, tour en l'air, turn-out, variation, Von Laban notation

Collins Thesaurus of the English Language – Complete and Unabridged 2nd Edition. 2002 © HarperCollins Publishers 1995, 2002

Translations

باليهرَقْصَةُ أو عَرْض باليهفَنُّ رَقْصِ الباليه

balet

ballet

baletti

balet

balett

ballett

balletto corpo di ballo danza classica ballerina ballettistico

バレエバレエー

발레

baletasbaleto šokėjas

baleta-balets

baletbaletný

balet

balett

ระบำปลายเท้า

bale

ba lê

芭蕾舞芭蕾舞剧舞剧芭蕾

ballet

[ˈbæleɪ]

A. N → ballet m

B. CPD ballet dancer N → bailarín/ina m/f (de ballet)
ballet school N → escuela f de ballet
ballet shoes NPL → zapatillas fpl de ballet
ballet skirt N → falda f de bailarina or de ballet

Collins Spanish Dictionary - Complete and Unabridged 8th Edition 2005 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1971, 1988 © HarperCollins Publishers 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 2000, 2003, 2005

ballet

[ˈbæleɪ]

(= performance) → ballet m
We went to a ballet → Nous sommes allés voir un ballet.

(= art) → danse f classique

modif [school, company] → de danse classique; [teacher] → de danse classique
ballet lesson, ballet class → cours m de danse classiqueballet dancer n → danseur/euse m/f classiqueballet shoe n → chausson m de danseball game ballgame [ˈbɔːlgeɪm] n

(tennis, cricket, baseball) → jeu m de balle; (football, rugby, basketball, volleyball, handball) → jeu m de ballon

(US) (= baseball match) → match m de base-ball

(fig) (= situation, activity) → course f
to be in the ball game → dans la course
to be out of the ball game → être hors course
a new ball game, a different ball game → une (toute) autre histoire, une autre paire de manchesball girl n → ramasseuse f de balles

Collins English/French Electronic Resource. © HarperCollins Publishers 2005

ballet

n → Ballett nt

ballet

ballet master

n → Ballettmeister(in) m(f)

ballet pump, ballet shoe

n → Ballettschuh m

ballet skirt

n → Ballettröckchen nt

Collins German Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged 7th Edition 2005. © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1980 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1997, 1999, 2004, 2005, 2007

ballet

[ˈbæleɪ] n (dance) → balletto; (art) → danza classica

ballet

(ˈbӕlei) , ((American) bӕˈlei) noun

1. a theatrical performance of dancing with set steps and mime, often telling a story. Swan Lake is my favourite ballet.

2. the art of dancing in this way. She is taking lessons in ballet; (also adjective) a ballet class.

ˈballet-dancer noun

ballet

→ باليه balet ballet Ballett μπαλέτο ballet baletti ballet balet danza classica バレエ 발레 ballet ballett balet balé, ballet балет balett ระบำปลายเท้า bale ba lê 芭蕾

Where can I buy tickets for the ballet? → Baleye nereden bilet alabilirim? → 在哪儿买芭蕾舞入场券？

References in classic literature ?

Suddenly the dressing-room of La Sorelli, one of the principal dancers, was invaded by half-a-dozen young ladies of the ballet, who had come up from the stage after "dancing" Polyeucte.

View in context

On the morrow, nothing was talked of in Paris but the ball which the aldermen of the city were to give to the king and queen, and in which their Majesties were to dance the famous La Merlaison-- the favorite ballet of the king.

View in context

We had arrived in London at what is called "the height of the season." Among the operatic attractions of that year--I am writing of the days when the ballet was still a popular form of public entertainment--there was a certain dancer whose grace and beauty were the objects of universal admiration.

View in context

They said that Charles Strickland had become infatuated with a French dancer, whom he had first seen in the ballet at the Empire, and had accompanied her to Paris.

View in context

He did not distinguish what sort of love his might be, big or little, passionate or passionless, lasting or passing (he kept a ballet girl himself, though he was the father of a family, so he was lenient in these matters), but he knew that this love affair was viewed with displeasure by those whom it was necessary to please, and therefore he did not approve of his brother's conduct.

View in context

The countess, in reply, bowed gracefully to Albert, and extended her hand with cordial kindness to Franz; then, inviting Albert to take the vacant seat beside her, she recommended Franz to take the next best, if he wished to view the ballet, and pointed to the one behind her own chair.

View in context

Pondering over a new form of theatrical attraction for the coming winter season, Francis had determined to revive the languid public taste for the ballet by means of an entertainment of his own invention, combining dramatic interest with dancing.

View in context

It was said that some foolish young prince, name unknown, had suddenly come into possession of a gigantic fortune, and had married a French ballet dancer.

View in context

'Oh!' said the manager, 'the little ballet interlude.

View in context

Some, contented with this reason, went away again, contented to repeat the tale to others, but others, more tenacious, insisted on having the doors opened, and among these last three Blue Ribbons, intended to take parts in a ballet, which would inevitably fail unless the said three had their costumes shaped by the very hand of the great Percerin himself.

View in context

The count, with playful ceremony somewhat in ballet style, offered his bent arm to Marya Dmitrievna.

View in context

Thomson kept close behind Ralph Conyers and Captain Granet, who were talking no more of submarines, however, but of the last ballet at the Empire.