Welcome to the Prima Princessa Ballet Dictionary! Whether you are a budding ballerina, a supportive parent, or just curious about the elegant language of dance, this guide is for you. Ballet uses French terminology to describe its steps, poses, and movements. Below, you will find easy-to-understand definitions for the most common terms used in ballet classes and performances.
From the grace of an Adagio to the excitement of a Grand Jeté, mastering this vocabulary is the first step to appreciating the art form.
A
- Adagio: A series of very slow, fluid movements performed to look graceful and effortless. It can also refer to the opening section of a pas de deux where partners perform slow lifts and supported turns.
- Air, en l’: Indicates a movement made in the air, such as a rond de jambe en l’air.
- Allegro: Quick, lively steps, usually including jumps, performed to a fast tempo.
- Allongé: Meaning “elongated.” To stretch out a limb, usually straightening an arm or leg to its fullest extent.
- Arabesque: A classic pose where the dancer stands on one leg while the other is extended straight behind the body.
- Arabesque en l’air: An arabesque where the back leg is lifted off the floor, usually parallel to it.
- Arabesque Penchée: An arabesque where the dancer leans their upper body forward to lift the back leg as high as possible while maintaining balance.
- Arrière: A movement performed backward (e.g., glissade en arrière).
- Assemblé: Meaning “to assemble.” A jump where the feet are brought together in the air before landing in fifth position.
- Attitude: A pose where the working leg is lifted and bent at the knee at a 90-degree angle. It can be performed to the front (devant), side, or back (derrière).
- Avant: Meaning “forward.” Any step moving toward the front.
B
- B+ Pose: A resting pose where the dancer stands on one leg, with the other leg bent behind, knees touching, and the big toe resting on the floor.
- Balancé: A rocking step resembling a waltz, shifting weight from one foot to the other in a rhythmic motion.
- Ballerina: A female ballet dancer.
- Ballet: A classical dance form characterized by formalized technique, grace, and precision. It often involves choreography, music, costumes, and scenery to tell a story.
- Ballet Slippers: Soft shoes, usually made of canvas or leather, worn for ballet training.
- Barre: A horizontal wooden or metal rail attached to a wall or freestanding, used for support during warm-up exercises.
- Battement: A generic term for a kick or beating action of the leg.
- Battement Frappé: Meaning “struck.” An exercise where the foot strikes the floor from a flexed position at the ankle to a pointed extension.
- Battement Tendu: Meaning “stretched.” Stretching the leg out to the front, side, or back until only the tip of the toe touches the floor, without lifting it.
- Bourrée: Tiny, rapid steps performed on relevé (tiptoes) in a tight fifth position, creating a gliding effect.
- Brisé: A traveling jump where the legs beat together in the air.
C
- Center Work: Exercises performed in the middle of the studio without the support of the barre.
- Changé: Meaning “changed.” Indicates that the foot position changes during the step.
- Changement: A small jump starting in fifth position where the dancer switches feet in the air, landing with the opposite foot in front.
- Chassé: Meaning “chased.” A sliding step where one foot chases the other out of its position.
- Choreographer: An artist who creates dance compositions and arranges movements.
- Choreography: The sequence of steps and movements that make up a dance.
- Corps de Ballet: The group of dancers in a company who perform ensemble numbers rather than solo roles.
- Costume: Clothing worn on stage to represent a character or theme.
- Coupé: Meaning “cut.” A quick action where one foot cuts the other away and takes its place.
- Croisé: A body direction where the dancer stands at an angle to the audience, and the legs appear crossed.
D
- Dedans, en: Meaning “inward.” A turn or circular movement directed toward the supporting leg.
- Dehors, en: Meaning “outward.” A turn or circular movement directed away from the supporting leg.
- Demi-Plié: A half-bend of the knees with heels remaining on the floor.
- Demi-Pointe: Standing on the balls of the feet.
- Développé: Meaning “developed.” A movement where the working leg is drawn up to the knee of the supporting leg and then slowly extended into the air.
- Dress Rehearsal: The final practice before a performance, conducted in full costume, makeup, and lighting.
E
- Écarté: A position where the dancer faces a corner, with the leg extended to the side (second position) toward the other corner.
- Échappé: Meaning “escaping.” A movement where the feet move from a closed position (first or fifth) to an open position (second or fourth).
- Échappé Sauté: An échappé performed as a jump.
- Effacé: A body direction where the dancer stands at an angle, and the legs appear open (uncrossed) to the audience.
- Enchaînement: A combination or chain of steps linked together.
- En Face: Facing directly toward the audience.
F
- Fermé: Meaning “closed.”
- Fifth Position (Arms): Arms are rounded and held above the head, framing the face.
- Fifth Position (Legs): Feet are turned out, with one heel touching the toe of the other foot.
- First Position (Arms): Arms are rounded in front of the torso, as if holding a large beach ball.
- First Position (Legs): Heels touch, and toes point outward to form a straight line (or V-shape for beginners).
- Fouetté: Meaning “whipped.” A turn where the working leg whips around to propel the dancer.
- Fourth Position: Similar to fifth position, but with a space (about one foot’s length) between the feet.
- Frappé: See Battement Frappé.
G
- Glissade: A gliding step used to link other movements. It starts in fifth position, moves to the side, and ends back in fifth.
- Grand Battement: A large kick where the whole leg is thrown into the air from the hip.
- Grand Jeté: A large leap where the dancer splits their legs in the air.
- Grand Plié: A full deep bend of the knees. In positions other than second, the heels lift off the floor.
J – M
- Jeté: Meaning “thrown.” A jump from one foot to the other.
- Melody: The main tune in a piece of music.
- Musicality: The ability of a dancer to interpret and reflect the music in their movement.
P
- Pantomime: Using gestures to tell a story without words.
- Pas de Bourrée: A linking step consisting of three movements: back, side, front.
- Pas de Chat: Meaning “step of the cat.” A jump where both knees bend upward in the air.
- Pas de Deux: A dance for two people, typically a male and female partnership.
- Passé: A position where the toe of one foot touches the knee of the supporting leg. Also the action of passing the foot from front to back (or vice versa).
- Pirouette: A complete turn or spin on one leg.
- Plié: A bending of the knees. Essential for jumps and landings.
- Pointe Shoes: Satin shoes with a hard box and shank allowing dancers to stand on the tips of their toes.
- Pointe Work: Dancing on the extreme tips of the toes.
- Port de Bras: Carriage or movement of the arms.
- Posture: The alignment of the body.
- Preparatory Position: The starting pose for the arms, usually low and rounded.
- Props: Objects used on stage to enhance the story.
R
- Relevé: Meaning “raised.” Rising onto the balls of the feet (demi-pointe) or toes (pointe).
- Rond de Jambe: Meaning “circle of the leg.” A circular movement of the leg, either on the floor (à terre) or in the air (en l’air).
- Rosin: A yellow crystal powder used on ballet shoes to prevent slipping.
S
- Sauté: Meaning “jumped.” Used to modify other steps (e.g., échappé sauté).
- School of American Ballet (SAB): The premier ballet academy in the US, associated with New York City Ballet.
- Second Position: Feet are turned out and separated, about shoulder-width apart. Arms are open to the sides.
- Soubresaut: A sudden spring or jump in fifth position, traveling slightly forward or backward.
- Sous-Sus: A tight relevé in fifth position where the feet are drawn close together.
- Spotting: Keeping the eyes fixed on one point while turning to prevent dizziness.
- Sur le Cou-de-pied: Meaning “on the neck of the foot.” The working foot wraps around the ankle of the standing leg.
T – W
- Tempo: The speed of the music.
- Third Position: One foot is placed in front of the other, with the heel touching the middle of the back foot.
- Tour en L’air: A turn in the air, usually performed by male dancers.
- Turnout: The outward rotation of the legs from the hips, a foundational element of ballet technique.
- Waltz: A dance rhythm in 3/4 time (ONE-two-three).
- Wardrobe Mistress: The person responsible for fitting, altering, and maintaining costumes.
Learn More with Prima Princessa
Understanding these terms brings you closer to the magic of ballet. Want to see these steps in action? Check out the Prima Princessa Ballet Shows for Kids, featuring world-class performances and easy-to-follow dance lessons for children ages 3-6. Watch, learn, and dance along!