Ballet Terms & Meanings
Adage:
Definition: A french word meaning gently, or at ease. Adage is a series of slow, controlled exercises or movements performed to slow music.
Arabesque:
Definition: An arabesque is a long, graceful pose made by balancing on the supporting leg while extending the free leg behind.
Pronunciation: ah-rah-besk
Common Misspellings: arabesk
Arabesque Penchee:
Definition: An arabesque in which the raised leg is at an angle much greater than 90 degrees. The body bends forward to counterbalance the back leg. This ballet pose requires tremendous balance as well as flexibility.
Attitude:
Definition: A ballet pose performed by balancing on one leg while lifting and bending the other leg either behind, in front of, or to the side of the body. An attitude can be performed on flat foot, pointe or demi pointe
Balance:
Definition: A rocking step. A step that shifts body weight from one foot to the other, usually in 3/4 time. A balance may be performed by crossing the foot in front or in back
Ballerina:
Definition: A ballerina is a female ballet dancer. A prima ballerina is the leading female dancer in a ballet company. Many people associate ballerinas with tutus and soft slippers. In contrast, a male ballet dancer is called a ballerino, or danseur
Ballon:
Definition: The ability of a dancer to jump easily and lightly into the air. Ballon is the appearance of being weightless, or defying gravity.
Barre:
Definition: A barre is a wooden bar attached horizontally to the walls of a ballet studio. Ballet dancers hold on to the barre for balance. Many ballet exercises are performed while holding on to the barre with one hand.
Common Misspellings: bar
Battement Tendu:
Definition: A ballet move in which one leg slides out along the floor to the front, back or side. The leg remains straight all the way to the point of the foot
Bourree:
Definition: In ballet, small, quick, even steps, usually done on pointe, that give the impression of gliding across the floor
Changement:
Definition: A jump from fifth position that changes feet in the air to land with the other foot in front, in fifth position. Literally, a change of the feet.
Also Known As: Changement de pieds
Coda:
Definition: The final section of a ballet or pas de deux, usually with the principal dancers reappearing for a final dance, the finale.
Also Known As: Finale
Corps de Ballet:
Definition: A corps de ballet is the group of dancers that belong to a specific ballet company, that dance together as a group.
Pronunciation: kor-duh-bah-lay
Coupe:
Definition: A changing of feet in which one foot cuts either in front of or behind the other. A coupe ends with the new working foot pointed by the ankle of the supporting leg.
A coupe is often used as a conecting step to another movement. It can be performed saute or en releve.
Demi Pointe:
Definition: A ballet term meaning to raise high onto the balls of the feet. If a dancer is wearing pointe ballet shoes, demi pointe refers to standing on half-points, or halfway to full-point.
Derriere:
Definition: A french term meaning behind, or to the back. A movement or step performed to the back of the body.
Devant:
Definition: A french term meaning "to the front." Devant refers to a step or movement performed to the front of the body.
En Dedans:
Definition: A french term meaning "inward." A movement or step in which the leg moves in a circular direction from back to front
En Dehors:
Definition: A french term meaning "outward." A step or movement in which the supporting leg moves in a circular pattern to the outside, from front to back.
En Pointe:
Definition: To balance and dance on the tips of a few toes. Dancing en pointe requires a ballet dancer to wear specially designed shoes called pointe shoes.
Also Known As: On Point
Entrechat:
Definition: A french term meaning "interweaving." A step in which a dancer jumps straight up into the air and crosses the legs a certain number of times
Glissade:
Definition: A smooth, traveling step that glides along the ground.
Jete:
Definition: A throwing step. A jete is a jump from one foot to the other, while performing a throwing motion with the leg.
Pas de Deux:
Definition: A dance for two dancers. Ballet steps performed by two dancers, usually a man amd a woman, that are full of passion.
Plie:
Definition: A basic step in ballet; a smooth, graceful bending of the knees. A plie can be either demi or grand.
Point:
Definition: The point of the foot. Point refers to how far the heel is raised off the floor in a releve. Quarter point is with the heel just off the floor; three-quarter point is a straight line from the knee to the ball of the foot. Demi-pointe is halfway between. Sur les pointes is on the tips of the toes — literally.
Also Known As: Pointe
Port de Bras:
Definition: Movement of the arms to different positions in ballet. Exercises of the arms to make them move more gracefully and harmoniously.
Alternate Spellings: Porte-bras
Retire:
Definition: A common pose in ballet in which one leg is raised to the side, with the knee bent so the toe is pointed next to the supporting knee (front, side, back). The retire is the position used for performing a pirouette. Practicing this pose will help to improve balance.
Reverence:
Definition: A bow or curtsy. The last exercises of a ballet class in which the ballet dancers pay respect to and acknowledge the teacher and pianist. Reverence usually includes bows, curtsies, and ports de bras, and is a way of celebrating ballet's traditions of elegance and respect.
Rosin:
Definition: A powdery substance applied to ballet shoes for friction. Dancers often press the soles and tips of their ballet slippers and pointe shoes in rosin before a performance to prevent slipping.
Rosin is derived from the sap of pine trees. 
Royale:
Definition: Starting in fifth position, the dancer springs into the air and beats the thighs together before changing the feet to land in fifth position with the other foot in front. The royale is a fancy, more complicated changement.
Also Known As: Regal
Saut:
Definition: A simple jump in ballet
Soubresaut:
Definition: A vertical jump performed while keeping both legs staight and the feet together.
Sous-sus:
Definition: A sous-sus is a releve, or rise, with the feet in a tight fifth position. The releve can be a rise to either pointe or demi pointe. The sous-sus can be performed in place, or can be a traveling step to either the front, side or back.
Alternate Spellings: Sus-sous
Common Misspellings: SooSoo, SuSu
Soutenu:
Definition: A series of quick turns in ballet. A soutenu begins with a deep plie with the leading leg extended in a tendu position.
Tu-Tu:
Definition: A ballet costume made of a bodice and layers of netting. In most classical ballets, a ballerina wears a stiff, classical tutu which sticks straight out from the waist. In Romantic ballets, such as Giselle, the tutu is long, hanging below the calf.
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