ballet Hear it!

ballet Definition

bal·let (ba lā′, bal′ā)

noun

  1. an artistic dance form based on an elaborate formal technique, characterized by gestures and movements of grace, precision, and fluidity
    1. a theatrical presentation of ballet dancing performed to music and presenting a story, idea, or mood, usually with costumes and scenery
    2. the music for such a presentation
  3. a company of dancers of ballet

Etymology: Fr ballette < It balletto, dim. < ballo, a dance: see ball

ballet Related Forms
bal·let′ic (ba let′ik) adjective
ballet Synonyms

ballet

n.

toe dancing, choreography, modern dance; see dance 1.

ballet Usage Examples

Converse of object

  • choreograph: I flew back to Britain in September and choreographed a new ballet for Ballet Central, to original music composed by Phillip Feeney.
  • tap: Tap, ballet, Russian, modern and theater craft!
  • compose: The program notes tell us: " There are 16 ballets composed by Tschaikovsky in the active repertoire of New York City Ballet " .
  • perform: Perfectly poised, massively square, he performs a ballet anchored to the earth.
  • teach: Last years I'm quite focussed on ' how ' one is teaching ballet.
  • dance: There is not a single dancer in that company of native training who I think is fit to dance those ballets.

Adjective modifier

  • full-length: It is a bit of an experiment, which may or not develop into a full-length ballet.
  • classical: Cooper's return to classical ballet seems to have helped his style.
  • plotless: Balanchine also began to create plotless ballets in which the primary motivation was movement to music.
  • romantic: The latter is extremely important for this melancholic and romantic ballet.
  • aerial: Classic aircraft such as the Spitfire will take to the air in a marvelous aerial ballet to music.
  • Russian: At an early age, Jin Xing was sent to a military academy, for ten years ' training in the Russian ballet.

Modifies a noun

  • dancer: I thought she looked a fairly average size for a female ballet dancer.
  • barre: Full range of associated accessories from roll storage carts and bags to tapes and ballet barres.
  • mistress: Was the company doing Fille when you were the ballet mistress?
  • shoe: Pupils will swap ballet shoes for trainers to support the day.
  • goer: All these facts caused unjustified complaints from some French ballet goers: the gala was outstanding and the success enormous.
  • dancing: I started ballet dancing when I was three and continued until I was thirteen.

Noun used with modifier

  • one-act: For example, the norm of a one-act ballet was established, as well as the introduction of musical interludes to avoid long intervals.
  • opera: She danced in opera ballets at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden and had a subsequent, significant career in nursing.