150 terms · Beginner to expert

Ballet glossary

Classical ballet is taught in French. Here is every term in the BalletLingua lesson path with its English meaning and a short description of the movement. Open a term to hear it pronounced, or practice them all with quizzes in six languages — no account needed.

A

À la secondeBeginner: To the second. The leg or arms open to the side in second position.
AdagioIntermediate: Slowly. A sustained sequence emphasizing balance, control, and line.
Ailes de pigeonExpert: Wings of a pigeon. A spectacular airborne step with legs thrown and beaten in a dramatic shape.
AllegroIntermediate: Fast. Brisk, lively movement built around beats, jumps, and quick footwork.
ArabesqueIntermediate: Arabesque. A classical line balancing on one leg while the other extends behind.
Arabesque soutenueExpert: Supported arabesque. An arabesque line sustained with assistance to heighten extension and control.
AssembléIntermediate: Assembled. A jump where the working leg closes into the supporting leg in the air.
Assemblé battuExpert: Beaten assemblé. An assemblé enhanced with a clear beat before landing.
AttitudeIntermediate: Attitude. A pose on one leg with the other lifted and bent in a sculpted line.

B

BalancéIntermediate: Balanced. A rocking, waltz-like step that shifts the body gracefully side to side.
BalançoireIntermediate: Swinging. A swinging action of the leg through front and back with elasticity.
BallonExpert: Balloon quality. The illusion of suspended lightness at the top of a jump.
BallonnéExpert: Bounced. A buoyant jump that finishes on one leg with elastic suspension.
BallottéIntermediate: Tossed. A swinging jump or step that appears tossed from one side to the other.
Ballotté en tournantExpert: Turning tossed step. Ballotté performed with turning action and directional complexity.
BattementBeginner: Beating. A general term for a brushing or kicking action of the working leg.
BattuExpert: Beaten. A descriptive term for steps embellished with beats of the legs.
BriséExpert: Broken. A brisk beaten step that travels with small, precise attack.
Brisé voléExpert: Flying brisé. A larger, more airborne version of brisé with floating travel.

C

CabrioleExpert: Caper. A beating jump in which one leg strikes the other in the air.
Cabriole ferméeExpert: Closed cabriole. A cabriole that closes tightly and lands with crisp timing.
Cabriole ouverteExpert: Open cabriole. A cabriole that maintains an open line through the airborne beat.
CambréIntermediate: Arched bend. A bend of the torso that lengthens the spine into a curved shape.
ChaînésIntermediate: Chains. A series of linked turns traveling quickly across the floor.
Chaînés déboulésExpert: Rapid rolling chains. Very fast traveling turns linked continuously down a pathway.
ChangementBeginner: Change. A jump in which the feet change positions in the air before landing.
ChasséIntermediate: Chased. One foot chases the other in a gliding traveling step.
Cinquième positionBeginner: Fifth position. A tightly crossed turned-out position with heel to toe.
CiseauxExpert: Scissors. A jump in which the legs open and close like scissors in the air.
ClocheIntermediate: Bell-like. A pendulum-like leg swing through first position without stopping.
CodaExpert: Final section. The concluding bravura passage of a grand pas or variation.
ContretempsIntermediate: Counter-timed step. A linking step that offsets timing to redirect momentum into the next phrase.
CoupéIntermediate: Cut. A small transferring step that cuts underneath or replaces the working foot.
Coupé dessousExpert: Cut underneath. A coupé pathway in which the foot passes behind or underneath the supporting leg.
Coupé dessusExpert: Cut over. A coupé pathway in which the foot passes in front or over the supporting leg.
CroiséBeginner: Crossed. A body alignment angled to the audience with the legs visually crossed.

D

DéboulésIntermediate: Rolled turns. Fast traveling turns that roll continuously along a path.
DégagéBeginner: Disengaged. A sharper extension than tendu, with the foot brushing just off the floor.
DerrièreBeginner: Behind. A direction or placement executed to the back.
Dessus-dessousIntermediate: Over-under. A directional pathway showing whether the foot passes in front of or behind the other.
DétournéIntermediate: Detoured. A half turn that changes the dancer’s facing while maintaining clean placement.
DevantBeginner: In front. A direction or placement executed to the front.
DeveloppéIntermediate: Developed. The leg unfolds slowly from retiré into an extended line.
Double assembléExpert: Double assembled jump. An assemblé that repeats or doubles its action in one phrase.
Double cabrioleExpert: Double caper. A cabriole with two distinct beats before landing.
Double pirouetteExpert: Double spin. Two complete rotations performed in one controlled turning action.
Double tour en l’airExpert: Double turn in the air. A jump that completes two full airborne rotations before landing.

E

ÉcartéBeginner: Separated. A line with the body facing a corner and one limb opened to the side.
ÉchappéIntermediate: Escaped. A movement that opens from a closed position to a more open one.
EffacéBeginner: Shaded. A body alignment angled so the legs appear open to the audience.
EmboîtéExpert: Fitted step. A traveling step that fits one leg into the pathway of the other with quick rhythm.
En avantBeginner: Forward. Arms are carried in front of the body with soft rounded shape.
En basBeginner: Low. Arms are rounded in a low preparatory position.
En dedansIntermediate: Inward. A turning or circular action moving inward toward the supporting side.
En dehorsIntermediate: Outward. A turning or circular action moving away from the supporting side.
En hautBeginner: High. Arms are lifted overhead while keeping the shoulders relaxed.
EntrechatExpert: Interweaving. A beaten jump where the legs cross rapidly while airborne.
Entrechat huitExpert: Eight-beat entrechat. A virtuoso entrechat with four fast beats before landing.
Entrechat quatreExpert: Four-beat entrechat. An entrechat in which the legs cross twice for four distinct beats.
Entrechat sixExpert: Six-beat entrechat. A more demanding entrechat with three rapid crossings in the air.
ÉpauléBeginner: Shouldered. A softly twisted pose that emphasizes the shoulders and upper body line.

F

FailliIntermediate: Giving way. A transitional step that redirects the body into a new landing path.
Flic-flacIntermediate: Whisked. A quick brushing action of the lower leg passing from front to back or back to front.
FonduIntermediate: Melted. A coordinated bending and stretching of the legs like a smooth melt.
FouettéExpert: Whipped. A turn driven by a sharp whipping action of the working leg.
Fouetté en tournantExpert: Turning fouetté. A whipping turn executed in a traveling or repeated turning series.
Fouettés italiensExpert: Italian fouettés. A demanding fouetté variation emphasizing speed, rebound, and exact coordination.
FrappéIntermediate: Struck. A quick striking action of the foot extending from the ankle.

G

GargouilladeExpert: Gurgling. A virtuosic step combining circular leg action and airborne complexity.
GlissadeIntermediate: Glide. A small linking step that travels smoothly across the floor.
Grand BattementExpert: Large beat. A powerful high brush of the working leg with speed and precision.
Grand fouettéExpert: Large whipped turn. A larger-scale fouetté emphasizing extension, attack, and stage presence.
Grand jetéExpert: Large throw. A large leap from one foot to the other with split-like elevation.
Grand pas de chatExpert: Large cat step. A fuller, more expansive pas de chat with height and travel.
Grand pirouetteExpert: Large spin. A broad, fully presented pirouette showing amplitude and control.
Grand pliéIntermediate: Large bend. A full plié taken through the maximum range allowed by alignment.
Grand rond de jambeIntermediate: Large round of the leg. A large circular leg movement tracing a broad pathway in space.
Grand sissonne ferméeExpert: Large closed sissonne. A fuller sissonne that closes crisply into a finished position.
Grand sissonne ouverteExpert: Large open sissonne. A fuller, more expansive sissonne landing in an open line.

J

JetéIntermediate: Thrown. A step or jump where the working leg is thrown outward.
Jeté entrelacéExpert: Interlaced jeté. A turning leap in which the legs scissor as the body rotates through the air.

M

ManègeExpert: Circular. A phrase performed around the stage in a large circular pathway.
Manège de grands jetésExpert: Circle of grand jetés. A manège built from repeated large leaps around the stage.
Manège d’entrechatsExpert: Circle of entrechats. A ring of repeated entrechats performed around a circular pathway.

P

Pas couruIntermediate: Running step. A tiny running action often used to travel quickly and lightly.
Pas de basqueIntermediate: Basque step. A rhythmic traveling step with a grounded side-to-side accent.
Pas de bourréeIntermediate: Bourrée step. A compact three-step pattern used to connect larger movements.
Pas de bourrée couruIntermediate: Running bourrée. A rapid bourrée sequence that skims the floor in tiny steps.
Pas de chatExpert: Step of the cat. A jump in which both legs pass through retiré in quick succession.
Pas de chevalIntermediate: Horse step. A movement where the foot lifts sharply and points at the ankle or calf.
Pas de deuxExpert: Dance for two. A partnering structure built around supported adagio, variations, and coda.
Pas de valseIntermediate: Waltz step. A flowing three-count traveling step used widely in lyrical phrases.
Pas marchéIntermediate: Walking step. A deliberate walking step shaped with ballet posture and placement.
PasséBeginner: Passed. The working foot passes the supporting leg and arrives at the knee.
PenchéExpert: Leaning. A deeply tilted arabesque line requiring extraordinary extension and balance.
Petit battementIntermediate: Small beat. Quick beats of the working foot around the supporting ankle.
PiquéIntermediate: Pricked. A direct step onto pointe or demi-pointe with crisp placement.
Piqué arabesqueIntermediate: Pricked arabesque. A direct step onto the standing leg finishing in an arabesque line.
Piqué en dedansExpert: Pricked inward turn. A piqué turn rotating inward toward the supporting side.
Piqué en dehorsExpert: Pricked outward turn. A piqué turn rotating outward away from the supporting side.
PirouetteIntermediate: Spin. A full turn on one supporting leg with controlled spotting.
Pirouette à la secondeExpert: Second-position pirouette. A turn performed with the working leg extended to second position.
Pirouette soutenueExpert: Supported pirouette. A pirouette stabilized through partnering or assisted support.
PliéBeginner: Bent. A smooth, continuous bending of the knees while maintaining turnout and alignment.
PoissonExpert: Fish. An arched shape that suspends the body in a dramatic curved line.
Poisson plongéExpert: Diving fish. A partnered fish-like shape that dives into a supported dramatic line.
Port de brasBeginner: Carriage of the arms. The coordinated pathway of the arms through classical positions.
Première positionBeginner: First position. Heels together and toes turned outward in a straight line.
PromenadeIntermediate: Walked turn. A turn achieved by rotating around the standing leg with measured control.
Promenade en arabesqueExpert: Arabesque promenade. A slow rotation maintaining a stable arabesque line throughout.

Q

Quatrième positionBeginner: Fourth position. One foot placed in front of the other with open spacing between them.

R

RelevéBeginner: Raised. Rising to demi-pointe or pointe with control through the ankles and core.
Relevé en tournantExpert: Turning rise. A rise onto demi-pointe or pointe that continues into rotation.
Relevé lentIntermediate: Slow rise. A measured, sustained rise or lift emphasizing calm control and placement.
RenverséExpert: Reversed. A tilted turning action with a sweeping reversal of the upper body.
RetiréIntermediate: Withdrawn. A position with the toe placed at the knee of the supporting leg.
RévérenceExpert: Reverence. The formal bow or curtsy that closes class or performance with artistry and respect.
Rond de jambeBeginner: Round of the leg. A circular movement of the leg that traces a controlled arc.
Rond de jambe en l’airIntermediate: Round of the leg in the air. A circular action of the lower leg while the thigh remains lifted.
RoyaleExpert: Royal. A beaten changement executed with fast, refined lower-leg action.

S

Saut de basqueExpert: Basque jump. A traveling jump with a turning quality and broad projection.
Saut de chatExpert: Cat jump. A leaping version of pas de chat with higher, more expansive suspension.
Saut de poissonExpert: Fish jump. A dramatic jump or lift that forms a fish-like arched shape.
SautéBeginner: Jumped. A simple jump that leaves and lands from the same basic position.
Seconde positionBeginner: Second position. Feet apart with turnout maintained and weight centered.
SissonneIntermediate: Sissonne. A jump leaving two feet and landing on one with elevation and control.
Sissonne ferméeExpert: Closed sissonne. A sissonne landing that closes quickly and precisely.
Sissonne ouverteExpert: Open sissonne. A sissonne landing that remains open in an extended shape.
SoubresautExpert: Sudden spring. A crisp jump from two feet with a strongly pulled-up body line.
SoutenuIntermediate: Sustained. A smooth turning action in which the feet draw together under the body.

T

Temps de cuisseExpert: Thigh movement. A complex step that lifts the working leg before launching into jump action.
Temps de flècheExpert: Arrow movement. A darting airborne step whose line resembles an arrow in flight.
Temps de poissonExpert: Fish movement. A transitional airborne shape that resembles a fish-like arc.
Temps levéIntermediate: Raised step. A springing action from one foot that emphasizes rebound and timing.
Temps liéIntermediate: Connected movement. A linking phrase that joins positions with flowing transitions.
TenduBeginner: Stretched. The working foot brushes along the floor until only the toes remain in contact.
TombéIntermediate: Fallen. A shifting step that lowers or falls into a new placement with intent.
Tour attitudeExpert: Attitude turn. A rotation sustained while the working leg remains in attitude.
Tour chaînéExpert: Linked turn. A cleanly connected turning phrase built on chain-like rotational rhythm.
Tour de basqueExpert: Basque turn. A turning step combining transfer of weight and directional crossing.
Tour en l’airExpert: Turn in the air. A vertical jump that completes a full turn before landing.
Tour jetéExpert: Thrown turn. A traveling turning leap that changes direction with force and speed.
Tour lentExpert: Slow turn. A measured, sustained turn showing exceptional control over line and axis.
Tour piquéIntermediate: Pricked turn. A turning step entered by stepping directly onto a straight supporting leg.
Tours à la secondeExpert: Turns in second. A repeated turning sequence with the working leg held to second position.
Tours en manègeExpert: Turns in a circle. A sequence of turns organized around a circular performance pathway.
Triple pirouetteExpert: Triple spin. Three complete rotations demanding speed, spotting, and centered control.
Troisième positionBeginner: Third position. One foot placed in front of the other with heel to arch.

V

Valse en tournantExpert: Turning waltz. A waltz-driven traveling turn that combines elegance and propulsion.
VariationExpert: Solo variation. A solo section showcasing a dancer’s technique, style, and performance command.