Tooele Valley Academy of Dance Ballet Vocabulary
A Comprehensive List of Ballet Terms with French Pronunciations
A
À la [a lah] – to/at/in the (i.e., à la quatrième derrière is the position in which the ¹working leg is stretched to the back)
Adage (It. Adagio) [fr. a-DAHZH] – at leisure or at ease. (I) A succession of slow and graceful movements
performed with fluidity and apparent ease. (II) Part of the classical pas de deux.
Ailes de pigeon [el duh pee-ZHAWN] – pigeon’s wings. This step is also known as “pistolet.”
Allé, pas [pah a-LAY] – walking step. A simple walking step in which the whole foot is placed on the floor, not the toe
first as in pas marché.
Allégro [It. al-LAY-groh] – brisk, lively. A term applied to movements and steps of elevation (entrechat, cabriole,
assemblé, jeté, etc.) aiming for lightness, smoothness and ballon.
Allongé [a-lawn-ZHAY] – elongated, extended, outstretched
Aplomb [a-PLAWN] – assurance, poise. This term is applied to a dancer that has stability of position and full control
of body and limbs, with the weight of the body correctly centered.
Arabesque [a-ra-BESK] The position of the body supported on one leg, with the other leg extended behind the body
(with the knee straight). The back leg may is either raised en l’air or touches the floor in pointe tendue back
(arabesque à terre). Common angles en l’air are 45° (arabesque à la demi hauteur), and 90° (arabesque à la
hauteur or arabesque allongée). When the angle is much greater than 90° and the body leans forward to
counterbalance the back leg, the pose is called arabesque penchée.
Arabesque allongé à terre This is a lunge position. The body is supported on one leg bent in plié while the other leg
is extended in the back with the foot well turned out and on the ground.
Arrière, en Arrière [ah na-RYEHR] – back, backwards. A step en arrière moves upstage/away from the audience.
Arrondi [a-rwan-DEE] – rounded, curved
Assemblé [a-sahn-BLAY] – assemble or join together
Attitude [a-tee-TEWD] A position of the body taken from the statue of Mercury; the leg is bent at an angle of 90
degrees and well turned out so that the knee is higher than the foot.
Attitude à terre [a-tee-TEWD a tehr] – attitude on the ground. The leg rests on the floor in attitude derrière; the knee
in line with the ankle, and the foot arched. Also known as B-plus position.
Attitude grecque [grek] – greek attitude
Autour de la salle [oh-TOOR duh lah sal] – around the room
Avant, en [ah na-VAHN] – front, forward. A step en avant moves downstage/toward the audience.
Avec [a-VEK] – with
B
Balancé [ba-lahn-SAY] – to sway or rock. A step usually executed in three counts (waltz rhythm) shifting weight from
one foot to another and may be done crossing the working foot either in front or in back.
Balançoire [ba-lahn-SWAHR] – seesaw or teeter-totter. Short for battements en balançoire, "battements like a
seesaw." The dancer swings the working leg vigorously back and forth between fourth position front and fourth back,
through first position. Unlike grand battements en cloche, balançoires do not require that the body be held straight.
Ballon [ba-LAWN] – bounce. Ballon is the light, elastic quality in jumping in which the dancer bounds up from the
floor, pauses a moment in the air and descends lightly and softly, only to rebound in the air again like the smooth
bouncing of a ball. Ballon is the appearance of weightlessness and of being airborne, a demonstration of lightness of
movement. A dancer is said to have ballon if (s)he seems to be in the air constantly with only momentary contact with
the floor. Ballon describes a quality, not the elevation or height, of the jump. Even in small, quick jumps (petite
allégro), dancers strive to exhibit ballon.
Ballonné [ba-law-NAY] – ball-like or bouncing step. Dancer springs into the air extending one leg to the front, side or
back and lands with the extended leg either in sur le cou-de-pied (petite) or retire (grand). May be executed in all the
directions of the body.
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Tooele Valley Academy of Dance Ballet Vocabulary
A Comprehensive List of Ballet Terms with French Pronunciations
Ballotté [ba-law-TAY] – tossed. This step consists of coupé dessous and coupé dessus performed in a serious with
a rocking, swinging movement. The direction of the body is effacé with the body inclining backward or forward with
each change of weight. May be performed with straight knees à la demi-hauteur or développé à la hauteur.
Barre [bar] – a horizontal bar, approximately waist height. Every ballet class begins with exercises à la barre.
Bas, en [ahn bah] – low. Used to indicate a low position of the arms.
Bateau [ba-TOH] – boat-like
Battement [bat-MAHN] – beating. A generic term for various beating movements of the leg extending out and
returning. Two types of battement: petit and grand. Petites battements include: tendues (stretched), dégagés
(disengaged), frappes (struck) and tendues relevés (stretched-and-lifted). For grand battements, see below.
Battement fouetté [fweh-TAY] – whipped battement. From the 2nd position en l’air, the working foot is swept across
the floor so that the pointed toes strike the floor, finishing in a pointed position in front or in back of the ankle of the
supporting leg².
Batterie [bat-REE] – beaten. Pas de batterie (beating steps) is the collective term for any movement in which the feet
cross quickly in front and behind each other, the actual beating done with the calves, creating a flapping or "beating"
effect mid-air. Grand batterie includes beaten steps requiring elevation (cabriole, entrechat de volée, etc…). Petit
batterie steps do not require much elevation, but must be clean and well crossed (brisés, battu, changements, etc…)
Battu [ba-TEW] – beaten. As in battement battu.
Bourrée [boo-RAY] French baroque dance with quick rhythm. See pad de bourrée. Note: When an instructor uses
bourrée as a verb he/she usually means pas de bourrée couru/suivi—the gliding movement made on pointe/demipointe consisting of many very small steps taken with the feet close together.
Bras [brah] – arms
Brisé [bree-ZAY] – broken, breaking. A small beating step in which the movement is broken. Fundamentally, a brisé
is an assemblé beaten and traveled.
C
Cabriole [ka-bree-AWL] – to caper (leap playfully). An allegro step in which the extended legs are beaten in the air.
The working leg is thrust into the air, the underneath leg follows and beats against the first leg, sending it higher. The
landing is then made on the underneath leg.
Cambré [kahn-BRAY] – arched. The body is bent from the waist, the head following the movement of the body.
Chaînés [sheh-NAY] – chains, links. A common abbreviation for tours chaînés déboulés.
Chaînés Papillon [pa-pee-YAWN] – chaînés like a butterfly
Changé [shahn-ZHAY] – changed
Changement battu [shahnzh-MAHN ba-TEW] – changement beaten. Same as royale.
Changement de pieds [duh pyay] – change of feet. Usually abbreviated to changement, a jump in the 5th position in
which the feet change positions in the air
Chassé [sha-SAY] – chased. A step in which one foot literally chases the other foot out of its position. May be done
in a series; may be done en avant, en arrière, and de côté (forward, backward, or sideways).
Cinq [senk] – five
Cinquième [sen-KYEM] – fifth
Ciseaux [see-ZOH] – scissors. This is a scissor-like movement made by opening the feet to a wide 2nd position sur
les pointes or by jumping into the air. Not to be confused with sissonne. Can be executed during a saut de basque (in
which case it is called a Siara [see-AHRAH]).
Cloche, en [ahn klawsh] – like a bell. Petit or grand battement en cloche is executed by swinging a straight leg
continually between fourth position front and fourth position in back with pendulum movement; the body is held erect.
Composé [kawn-poh-ZAY] – composite or compound. A step made up of two or more steps under one name (as in
ballonné composé).
Contretemps [kawn-truh-TAHN] – beating against time
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Tooele Valley Academy of Dance Ballet Vocabulary
A Comprehensive List of Ballet Terms with French Pronunciations
Corps [kawr] – body
Corps de ballet [kar duh ba-LAY]. The ensemble of a ballet company; especially, the ensemble apart from the
featured dancers.
Corps de face [kawr duh fahss] – body facing front
Corps penché – body bending
Côté, de [duh koh-TAY] – sideways
Cou-de-pied [koo-duh-PYAY] – neck of the foot. The part of the leg between the ankle and the base of the calf.
Coupé [koo-PAY] – cut, cutting. A small intermediary step done as a preparation or impetus for another step. It takes
its name from the fact that one foot cuts the other away and takes its place.
Couronne, en [ahn koo-RAWN] – in the shape of a crown. A term of the French school for a position of the arms
rounded above the head. This is our academy’s 5th position.
Couru, pas [pah koo-REW] – running step. A run in any direction composed of 3 or 5 steps on demi-pointe to gain
momentum for steps such as grand jeté en avant.
Croisé [krwah-ZAY] – crossed. One of the orientations of the body. Dancer stands at an oblique³ angle to the
audience and body should be aligned so the audience can see both shoulders and both hips.
Croix, en [ahn krwah] – in the shape of a cross. This term is usually applied à la barre to exercises (i.e. battement
tendue) executed front, side, back and side again.
Cuisse [kwees] – thigh
D
Dance [dahnss] – dance
Danseur [dahn-SUHR] – male dancer
Déboulés [day-boo-LAY] – rolllings like a ball. See Tour chaînés déboulés (chaînés)
De Côté [duh koh-TAY] – to the side
Dedans, en [ahn duh-DAHN] – inward. Indicates that the leg moves in a circular direction counterclockwise from
back to front. In pirouettes, indicates an inward movement by the working leg toward the side of the supporting leg.
Déboîté [day-bwah-TAY] – disjointed. An emboîté executed en arrière.
Dégagé [day-ga-ZHAY] – disengaged. Battement dégagé is synonymous to battement tendue jeté (Russian school)
and battement glissé (French school). Battement dégagé is anywhere from 2 cm to 45 degrees off the floor.
Dehors, en [ahn duh-AWR] – outward. Indicates that the leg moves in a circular direction clockwise from front to
back. In pirouettes, indicates an outward movement by the working leg away from the supporting leg.
Demi- [duh-MEE] – half. Applied to movements or positions to indicate a smaller or lesser version.
Demi-plié [duh-MEE-plee-AY] – half-bend of the knees. All steps of elevation begin and end with a demi-plié.
Demi-pointe [duh-mee-PWENT] – half point. Sur la demi-pointe/sur les demi-pointes means “on the halfpoint/points” indicating that the dancer is to stand high on the balls of the feet.
Derrière [deh-RYEHR] – behind, back
Dessous [duh-SOO] – under. Describes the motion of the working foot under (behind) the supporting foot.
Dessus – [duh-SEW] – over. Describes the motion of the working foot over (in front of) the supporting foot.
Détiré [day-tee-RAY] – drawn out
Détourné [day-toor-NAY] – turned aside. A smooth turn made by pivoting on the toes; it is a complete turn toward
the back foot and reverses the position of the feet.
Deux [duh] – two
Deuxième [duh-ZYEM] – second
Devant [duh-VAHN] – in front. May refer to a step, movement, or the placing of a limb in front of the body (i.e.
battement tendue devant would mean extending the leg to the front).
Développé [dayv-law-PAY] – developed. From 5th position, the working foot and leg are drawn up to retiré, smoothly
pass through attitude position and are fully extended out to a position in the air and held there with perfect control.
The leg is then lowered back into the fifth position. The hips are kept level and square throughout.
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Tooele Valley Academy of Dance Ballet Vocabulary
A Comprehensive List of Ballet Terms with French Pronunciations
Diagonale, en [ahn dya-gaw-NAL] – in a diagonal. Indicating a step is to be done traveling in a diagonal direction.
Divertissement [dee-vehr-tees-MAHN] – diversion, enjoyment. A suite of numbers inserted into a classic ballet to
display the talents of the dancers.
Dix [deess] – ten
Dos à dos [doh za doh] – back to back
Double [DOO-bluh] – double
Doublé [doo-BLAY] – doubled. As in sissonne doublé.
Droite, à [a drwaht] – to the right
E
Écarté [ay-kar-TAY] – separated, thrown wide apart. One of the major orientations of the body. The body faces
toward either corner #2 or #8, one leg extended in 2nd position either devant (toward corner #2 or #8) or derrière
(toward corner #4 or #6); hold arms as in attitude, the raised arm being on the same side as the extended leg.
Échappé [ay-sha-PAY] – escaping or slipping movement. A level opening of both feet from a closed to an open
position. Done either sauté or sur les pointes/demi-pointes to the 2nd or 4th position, both feet traveling equi-distance
from the original center of gravity.
Effacé [eh-fa-SAY] – shaded. Also known as ouverte. One of the major orientations of the body and of épaulement in
which the dancer stands at an oblique angle to the audience so that a part of the body is taken back and almost
hidden from view. Effacé is also used to qualify a pose in which the legs are open, not crossed (opposite of croisé).
Élan [ay-LAHN] – attack. Pertains to the manner in which a dancer attacks a step, both emotionally and physically.
Élancé [ay-lahn-SAY] – darting. Indicating that a step is to be done in a darting manner, just above the surface of the
floor; legs are strongly stretched and toes well pointed.
Emboîté [ahn-bwah-TAY] – fitted together, boxed. The name of this step is derived from the close fitting of the feet
like a lid upon a box.
En [ahn]– in, while. This term is usually used to describe the position in which the dancer is situated; i.e. en relevé.
Enchaînement [ahn-shen-MAHN] – linking or chaining. A sequence or combination of steps.
Enlèvement [ahn-lev-MAHN] – carrying off. The male dancer lifts his partner in the air in a step or pose.
En I'air [ahn lehr] – in the air. Indicates: (1) that a movement is to be made in the air, i.e. tour en l’air -turn in the air;
(2) that the working leg, after being opened to 2nd or 4th position à terre (on the ground), is to be raised to a horizontal
position with the toe on the level of the hip.
Entrechat [ahn-truh-SHAH] – interweaving or braiding. A step of beating in which the dancer jumps into the air and
rapidly crosses the legs before and behind each other. The number of crossings is indicated by a number after the
word, and each crossing is counted twice (once for going out from fifth and once for returning to fifth). In evennumbered entrechats, the dancer lands on both feet, in fifth: 2 (deux), 4 (quatre), 6 (six), 8 (huit) and 10 (dix). In oddnumbered entrechats, the dancer lands with one foot sur le cou-de-pied: 3 (trois), 5 (cinq), 7 (sept) and 9 (neuf).
Entrechat deux is the same as changement de pieds.
Entrelacé [ahn-truh-la-SAY] – interlaced
Enveloppé [ahn-vuh-law-PAY] – enveloped or wrapped. A développé in reverse. Often part of an en dedans turn.
Épaulé [ay-poh-LAY] – shouldered. One of the major orientations of the body.
Épaulement [ay-pohl-MAHN] – shouldering. Rotation of the torso from the waist upward, bringing one shoulder
forward and the other back with the head turned or inclined over the forward shoulder. Adds beauty, expression and
the finishing artistic touch to every movement. Épaulement is a characteristic feature of the modern classical style
compared to the old French style, which had little épaulement.
Étendue [ay-tahn-DEW] – outstretched, extended. The second half of a plié when the legs straighten.
Étirée [ay-tee-RAY] – stretched or drawn out
Extension. The ability to raise the working leg high in the air. Good extension comes from a combination of inborn
flexibility and training. A dancer is said to have good extension if, when doing a développé à la seconde, they can
hold and sustain the raised leg above shoulder level.
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Tooele Valley Academy of Dance Ballet Vocabulary
A Comprehensive List of Ballet Terms with French Pronunciations
F
Face, de [duh fahss] – in front, full face. A position or step executed facing the audience.
Face, en [ahn fahss] – opposite (the audience). Refers to any position directly facing the audience, with both hips
square to the front.
Failli [fay-YEE] – giving way, coming near or to the point of. An elevated connecting step done on one count.
Fermé [fehr-MAY] – closed. Indicates that both feet are in a closed position or are brought to a closed position.
Flic-flac [fleek-FLAK] – a crack, as of a whip
Fini [fee-NEE] – finished
Fondu [fawn-DEW] – melted. A movement that lowers the body by bending the supporting leg. Saint-Léon wrote,
“Fondu is on one leg what a plié is on two.”
Fouetté [fweh-TAY] – whipped. A term applied to a whipping movement. The movement may be a short whipped
movement of the raised foot as it passes rapidly in front of or behind the supporting foot or the sharp whipping around
of the body from one direction to another.
Fouetté (rond de jambe) en tournant – whipped turn. Pirouette in which the whipping motion of the working leg
makes the body go round.
Frappé [fra-PAY] – struck. The dancer forcefully extends the working leg from a cou-de-pied position, strengthening
the toes and insteps and developing the power of elevation.
G
Gargouillade [gar-goo-YAD] – gurgling or rumbling. Resembles a pas de chat, but the commencing leg executes a
rond de jambe and a half en dedans or en dehors.
Gauche, à [a gohsh] – to the left
Genou [zhuh-NOO] – knee. Au (oh) genou means to the knee and à genou on one knee.
Glissade [glee-SAD] – glide. A terre à terre traveling step executed by gliding the working foot from the 5th position in
the required direction, the other foot closing to it. Often used to link other steps. The step should show the 2nd
position en l’air.
Glissé, pas [pah glee-SAY] – gliding step. Any step that glides on the floor.
Grand, Grande [grahn, grahnd] – big, large
Grand jeté [grahn zhuh-TAY] – large, thrown jump. A long horizontal jump, starting from one leg and landing on the
other. It is most often done forward (en avant) and usually involves doing full leg splits in mid-air.
H
Haut, en [ahn oh] – high. Used to indicate a high position of the arms (5th position)
Hauteur, à la [a lah oh-TUHR] – to the height. Referring to the angle formed by the legs in relation to the vertical axis
of the body: demi-hauteur forms a 45˚ angle, à la hauteur a 90˚ angle.
Hortensia [awr-tahn-SYAH] – jester like movement. Danseur jumps into the air with the legs drawn up, one in front of
the other, then reverses their position in the air several times before landing with the feet apart again. The legs do not
beat.
Huit [weet] – eight
Incliné [en-klee-NAY] – inclined
I
J
Jambe [zhahnb] – leg
Jeté, pas [pah zhuh-TAY] – throwing step. A jump from one foot to the other, in which the working leg is brushed into
the air and appears to have been thrown. Often shortened to jeté; there are several kinds.
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Tooele Valley Academy of Dance Ballet Vocabulary
A Comprehensive List of Ballet Terms with French Pronunciations
L
Lever [luh-VAY] – rise, lift. Levé is a smooth rise; a relevé without the plié or the spring. From flat feet, rise directly
and smoothly to demi or pointe. The toes do not move from the spot at which the rise began.
Lent [lahn] – slow
Lyre [leer] – Bras à la or en lyre is a position of the arms, one arm is above the other, resembling the shape of a lyre.
M
Maître or maîtresse de ballet [MEH-truh (or) meh-TRESS duh ba-LAY] – ballet master or mistress. The person
responsible for the training of dancers in a company.
Manège [ma-NEZH] – circular. En manège indicates the dancer is to travel around the room in a circle while
performing steps or enchaînements. Same as autour de la salle.
Marché [mar-SHAY] – march. Pas marché “marching step” is the dignified, classical walk of the ballerina and the
premier danseur.
Marquer [mar-KAY] – mark. As in to mark or “walk through” the steps of an enchaînement or variation.
Neuf [nuhf] – nine
N
O
Ouvert, Ouverte [oo-VEHR, oo-VERHT] – open or opened. Indicates certain open positions of the body or the limbs.
In the French school it also indicates a direction of the body similar to effacé.
Ouverture de jambe [oo-vehr-TEWR] – opening of the leg. Resembles the grand rond de jambe en l’air, but
whereas the latter is taken slowly and preceded by a développé, the ouverture de jambe is taken from grande
quatrième devant or derrière and is done in one quick movement or stroke, either en dedans or en dehors.
P
Pas [pah] – step. Many of the common names of steps in ballet are adjectives (or participles) instead of nouns; these
names have the word "pas" understood: for example, "coupé" (which everybody says) is actually short for "pas
coupé" ["cut step"] (which nobody says). Also used to refer to a dance, as pas de deux, a dance for two; pas de trois
is a dance for three, pas de quatre, a dance for four, etc…
Pas d’action [pah dak-SYAWN] – dance action. Expressing emotion or telling a story by means of mime and dance.
Pas de basque [pah duh bask] – basque step. A step from the Basque region (a small country comprising part of
northern Spain and south-west France).
Pas de bourée [pah duh boo-RAY] – bourrée step. One of the simplest connecting steps, used to link other steps in
a combination. The commonest form being the pas de bourrée dessous (back, side, front). Note: Pas de bourrée
couru is the same as pas de bourrée suivi—the gliding movement made on pointe/demi-pointe consisting of many
very small steps taken with the feet close together.
Pas de chat [pah duh shah] – step of the cat
Pas de cheval [pah duh shuh-VAL] – step of the horse. So called because it resembles a horse pawing the ground.
Pas de deux –[pah duh duh] – dance for two. A duet usually performed by a female and a male dancer.
Pas de papillon [pah duh pa-pee-YAWN] – butterfly step. Same as jeté passé en arrière.
Pas de poisson [pah duh pwah-SAWN] – fish step. This is a form of soubresaut in which the dancer jumps with the
back arched. The whole body is curved like a fish jumping out of water. The legs, which are well extended, are
behind and held close together with the pointed feet crossed so as to represent a fish’s tail.
Passer, Passé [pa-SAY] – pass, passed. An auxiliary movement in which the foot of the working leg passes the knee
of the supporting leg from one position to another. Should not be used as a synonym for retiré.
Passé par terre [pa-SAY par tehr] – passed on the ground. This is an auxiliary movement in which the foot of the
working leg is passed from the position pointe tendue à la quatrième devant to the position pointe tendue à la
quatrième derrière or vice versa.
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Tooele Valley Academy of Dance Ballet Vocabulary
A Comprehensive List of Ballet Terms with French Pronunciations
Passe-pied [pahss-PYAY] This is a term of the French School for a sort of petit jetés finished piqués à terre.
Penché [pahn-SHAY] – leaning, inclining
Petit [puh-TEE] – small
Pied [pyay] – foot
Pied dans la main [pyay dahn lah men] – foot in the hand. See détiré.
Piqué [pee-KAY ]– pricked, pricking. Executed by stepping directly on the point or demi-pointe of the working foot in
any desired direction or position with the other foot raised in the air.
Piquer la pointe [pee-KAY lah pwent] – to prod the toe. Same as petit battement piqué; the working foot performs a
battement dégagé to the 2nd or 4th position, then strikes the floor lightly with the pointed toes.
Piqué tour: [pee-KAY toor] – piqué, turning. A pirouette in which the dancer steps directly onto the point with the
raised leg sur le cou-de-pied devant or derrière, in attitude, arabesque or any given position. May be executed en
dedans or en dehors.
Pirouette [peer-WET] – whirl or spin. A complete turn of the body on one foot. Pirouettes are performed en dedans,
turning inward toward the supporting leg, or en dehors, turning outward in the direction of the raised leg.
Pistolet [peess-taw-LAY] – pistol. Same step as ailes de pigeon.
Plané [play-NAY] – soaring. Applied to steps in which the dancer tries to remain stationary in mid-air for a moment.
Plié [plee-AY] – bent, bending. A bending of the knee or knees.
Pointes, sur les [sewr lay pwent] – on the points. Also used in the singular, “sur la pointe.”
Pointe Tendue [pwent tahn-DEW] – point stretched. The leg is extended with the heel raised and the instep forced
outward so that only the tip of the toes rest on the floor.
Port de bras [pawr duh brah] – carriage of the arms. The term has two meanings: (1) A movement or series of
movements made by passing the arm or arms though various positions. The passage of the arms from one position
to another constitutes a port de bras. (2) A term for a group of exercises designed to make the arms move gracefully
and harmoniously. In any case, the dancer works hard make the port de bras seem graceful, poised and seamless.
Porté [pawr-TAY] – carried. Refers either to a step which is traveled in the air from one spot to another or to the
carrying of a ballerina by a danseur.
Posé [poh-ZAY] – poised. Preceded by a fondu on the supporting leg, the dancer steps from one foot to the other
with a petit développé onto the demi-pointe or point in any desired position.
Poser [poh-ZAY] – to place. To place the foot on the ground.
Position [paw-zee-SYAWN] – position
Premier [pruh-MYAY] or fem. Première [pruh-MYEHR] – first. En première means in or through the first position.
Préparation [pray-pay-ra-SYAWN] – preparation
Promenade [prawm-NAD] – walk. (1) Any stylized walk. (2) A pivoting movement while holding a specific position or
shape, often arabesque.
Q
Quarré, en [ahn ka-RAY] – in the shape of a square. Steps or exercises executed in three or four sides of square.
Quart [kar] – quarter, fourth part. Un quart de tour is a quarter turn.
Quatre [KA-truh] – four
Quatrième [ka-tree-EM] – fourth. As in fourth position.
R
Raccourci [ra-koor-SEE] – shortened. A term of the French school synonymous to retiré. (1) A position in which the
thigh is raised to the 2nd position en l’air, with the knee bent so that the pointed toe rests against the knee of the
supporting leg. (2) sharp bending movement of the knee, as in battement raccourci.
Rebours, à [a ruh-BOOR] – in reverse. Indicates that the direction of a step is to be reversed.
Relevé [ruhl-VAY] – raised. As in the raising of the body onto the points or demi-pointes aided by a slight spring. If
the relevé is smooth, as in the French method, we use the term “soulevé.”
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Tooele Valley Academy of Dance Ballet Vocabulary
A Comprehensive List of Ballet Terms with French Pronunciations
Renversé [rahn-vehr-SAY] – upset, reversed. Of Spanish origin; the bending of the body during a turn in which the
normal balance is upset but not the equilibrium. Applies to only three steps: a pirouette, a pas de bourrée en
tournant, and a détourné. The body bends from the waist, sideways and backward, the head following the movement
of the body.
Répéter [ray-pay-TAY] – to rehearse or practice
Retiré [ruh-tee-RAY] – withdrawn. A position in which the thigh is raised to the 2nd position en l’air with the knee bent
so that the pointed toe rests either in front of, behind, or to the side of the supporting knee. Same as raccourci.
Retombé [ruh-tawn-BAY] – falling back. To fall back again to the original position.
Révérence [ray-vay-RAHNSS]. – reverence, bow or curtsey. The last exercise of a ballet class, in which the dancers
pay respect to the teacher and pianist, often with curtsies, bows and ports de bras. A grand révérence is an elaborate
curtsey performed by the female dancer to acknowledge the applause of the audience.
Rivoltade [ree-vawl-TAD] – to turn over. A dancer places one leg in the air and then gives the impression that he
jumps over it with the other leg.
Rond [rawn] – round or circular
Rond de bras [rawn duh brah] – circular movement of the arms
Rond de jambe [rawn duh zhahnb] – rond of the leg, i.e. circular movement of the leg. Done à terre or en l’air, en
dehors (clockwise) and en dedans (counterclockwise).
Rotation [raw-ta-SYAWN] – rotation
Royale [rwah-YAL] – royal. A changement in which the claves are beaten together before the feet change position.
Russe [rewss] – Russian
S
Sans [sahn] – without
Saut [soh] – jump. A jump off both feet, landing with the feet in the same position.
Saut de basque [soh duh bask] A traveling step in which the dancer turns in the air with one foot drawn up to the
knee of the other leg.
Saut de chat [soh duh shah] – cat’s jump. A term of the French school; similar to the Italian pas de chat.
Saut de flèche [soh duh flesh] – arrow jump. Same as temps de flèche.
Saut de l’ange [soh duh lahnzh] – angel’s jump. Same as temps de l’ange.
Sauté [soh-TAY] – jumped, jumping. When added to the name of a step, the movement is performed while jumping.
Sautillée [soh-tee-YAY] – hopped, hopping
Seconde, à la [ah la suh-GAWND] – second. To the second position. En seconde means in the second position.
Sept [set] seven
Serré [seh-RAY] – tight, close. Note: battement serré is the same as battement battu.
Serrer les reins [seh-RAY lay ren] – to tighten the loins. Indicates that the body should be erect and the torso well
lifted, with the buttocks and abdominal muscles tightened.
Simple [SEN-pluh] – simple, ordinary, single
Sissonne [see-SAWN] A step named for its inventor, the Count of Sissonne; a jump from both feet onto one foot with
a few exceptions and many variations. Not to be confused with ciseaux.
Six [seess] – six
Soubresaut [soo-bruh-SOH] – sudden spring or bound. A springing jump from both feet, traveling forward in either
croisé or effacé position and landing on both feet in the same position as they started. The arms are free and depend
only on the design of what is being sought after.
Soulevé [sool-VAY] – raised. As in a smooth, continuous rise onto the pointes or demi-pointes.
Sous-sus; Sus-sous [soo-SEW; sew-SOO] – under-over; over-under. Synonymous meaning—a relevé in a tight fifth
position with one foot almost on top of the other.
Soutenu [soot-NEW ] – sustained. Indicates a movement be sustained or performed smoothly and slowly.
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Tooele Valley Academy of Dance Ballet Vocabulary
A Comprehensive List of Ballet Terms with French Pronunciations
Soutenu en tournant – Similar to tours chaînés, a series of turns in quick succession. The dancer must first execute
a demi plié while extending the leading leg in a tendue position and then stepping up on a tight leg and beginning the
turn while simultaneously bringing the other leg up to a raised position while finishing a full 360 degree turn.
Suite, de [duh sweet] – continuously. Indicates that a step or movement is to be repeated several times.
Suivi [swee-VEE] – followed or connected. Pas de bourrée suivi is the same as pas de bourrée couru. See bourrée.
Sur [sewr] – on, upon
Sur le cou-de-pied [koo-duh-pied] – on the neck of the foot. Our academy teaches 5 sur le cou-de-pied positions.
Sur place [sewr plahss] – in place. Indicates that the dancer, in executing a step, stays in one place.
T
Taqueté [tak-TAY] – pegged. A term used to indicate a dance sur les pointes consisting of quick, little steps in which
the points strike the floor sharply in a staccato manner.
Temps [tahn] – time, step, movement. A part of a step or movement in which no transfer of weight takes place; a
section of a pas (step)
Temps de cuisse [tahn duh kweess] – thigh movement. A compound step consisting of a battement dégagé and a
sissonne fermée. The working foot executes a battement dégagé on the upbeat of the measure in preparation for a
sissonne fermée in the chosen direction.
Temps levé [tahn luh-VAY] – time raised or raising movement. This is a hop from one foot with the other raised in
any position. The instep is fully arched when leaving the ground and the spring must come from the pointing of the
toe and the extension of the leg after the demi-plié.
Temps lié [tahn lyay] – connected movement. A series of steps and arm movements based on the 2nd, 4th, 5th
positions. A valuable exercise for the achievement of a soft demi-plié and for mastering control and balance in
transmitting the weight of the body from one position to another with smooth, rhythmical movement.
Tendue [tahn DEW] – stretched. Pointe tendue is done in the 2nd or 4th positions, with the heel of the foot raised so
that the foot rests on the tip of the toes. Battement tendue exercises are important for learning to move the foot
quickly and gracefully while maintaining placement. Balanchine considered it the most important exercise of all.
Terminée [tehr-mee-NAY] – ended
Terre [tehr] – ground. Pied à terre (foot on the ground) indicates that the foot is the flat position, i.e. the entire base of
the foot rests on the ground. Par terre (along the ground) is the same as à terre (on the ground) and is used
interchangeably. Terre-à-terre (ground to ground) is used to describe steps in which the dancer's feet either do not
leave the floor or remain very close to the floor.
Tiroirs, faire les [fehr lay terr-WAHR] – to act like the drawers of a chest. Indicates that two opposite lines of dancers
are to cross each other and cross back again to their original positions.
Tombé [tawn-BAY] – falling. The movement in which the dancer, with the working leg raised in the air, falls forward,
backward or sideways into a fondu on the working leg, transferring the weight of the body.
Tour [toor] – turn. A turn of the body.
Tour chaîné déboulé [toor sheh-NAY day-boo-LAY] – a chain of turns, rolling like a ball. Often shortened to chaîné;
a series of quick turns on alternating feet with progression along a straight line or autour de la salle.
Tour de force [toor duh fawrss] – feat of strength. A technically brilliant and arresting step or exhibition such as a
series of brilliant pirouettes or a combination of outstanding jumps and beats.
Tour de reins [toor duh ren] – turn of the back. This is a series of coupé-jeté en tournant done en manège.
Tour en l’air [toor ahn lehr] – turn in the air. A turn in the air in which the dancer rises straight into the air from a
demi-plié, makes a complete turn and lands in the 5th position with the feet reversed.
Tour en l’air avec chute allongée [a-VEK shewt a-lawn-ZHAY] – turn in the air with an outstretched fall. This is a
double tour en l’air ending in a fall sideways to the floor in a horizontal position.
Tour lent [toor lahn] – slow turn. Same as tour de promenade. The dancer turns slowly in place on one foot by a
series of slight movements of the heel to the required side (either en dehors or en dedans) while maintaining a
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Tooele Valley Academy of Dance Ballet Vocabulary
A Comprehensive List of Ballet Terms with French Pronunciations
definite pose such as an arabesque or attitude. In a pas de deux, the ballerina on point holds her pose and is slowly
turned by her partner who walks around her holding her hand.
Tournant, en [ahn toor-NAHN] – turning. Indicates that the body is to turn while executing a given step.
Tour sautillé [toor soh-tee-YAY] – hopping turn. A turn done with a series of tiny hops turning in demi-plié on the
supporting foot with the heel barely leaving the floor.
Travesti, en [tra-ves-TEE] – in disguise. Of a female dancer this means dancing a male role in a man's costume; of a
male dancer this means dancing a female role in a woman's costume (i.e. Cinderella’s wicked stepsisters are often
danced by men en travesti).
Trois [trwah] – three
Troisième [trwah-ZYEM] – third
Tutu [tew-TEW] The short classical ballet skirt made of many layers of tarlatan or net. The romantic tutu is the long
skirt reaching below the calf.
Un, une [uhn, ewn] – one; a
U
V
Valse [valss] – waltz. Pas de valse "waltz step" is done with a graceful swaying of the body with various arm
movements. May be done en tournant. The step is like a balancé, but the feet do not cross.
Voyagèe [vwah-yah-ZHAY] – traveling
Volé [vaw-LAY] – flying
¹Working leg-the leg that is executing a given movement while the weight of the body is on the supporting leg.
²Supporting leg-the leg which supports the body so that the working leg is free to execute a given movement.
³Oblique- meaning angled, slanted, inclined
French Pronunciations and the rendering of ballet terms are primarily referenced from Gail Grant’s Technical Manual and Dictionary of Classical Ballet.
Theatre Terms:
Call time: the time performers are expected to be at a particular place.
Call sheet : a sheet posted at the studio that lists the dancers’ names and at what time they are expected at
rehearsal. Dancers must sign the sheet to indicate their presence and readiness for rehearsals or performances
Curtain call: The moment directly after the end of a performance when the entire cast comes on stage to bow or
curtsy to the audience.
Downstage: closest to the audience. Originates from the early European stages that were raked, on a slant; thus,
the performer’s position would be literally downstage.
Dry tech: A rehearsal without dancers to rehearse integration of lights, scenery and sound
Flyman: stage assistant responsible for operating the system of ropes, pulleys and lines used to raise and lower
scenery
Green room: the backstage room where performers wait and rest before going onstage. Green is thought to be
restful to the eyes and provides a relief from bright onstage lights.
Stage Right: The Dancers' Right when onstage facing the audience.
Stage Left: The Dancers' Left when onstage facing the audience.
Upstage: near the back of the stage, farthest from the audience.
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Tooele Valley Academy of Dance Ballet Vocabulary
A Comprehensive List of Ballet Terms with French Pronunciations
Music Terms:
A temp: indicates a return to the original speed of a musical composition after a temporary departure.
Adagio: slow tempo
Allegro: a fast tempo
Fermata: a hold, pertaining to a specific rest or note, indicating that it be sustained.
Legato: connected, flowing and uninterrupted. Opposite of staccato
Measure: a unit of musical time containing a group of beats. The division of music into measures is determined by its
pulse; often the accent, or downbeat, is on the first note.
Staccato: sharp, separated and distinct. Opposite of legato
Syncopation: an intentional disruption of the normal rhythm, pulse, beat, or meter of a musical phrase by shifting the
accent away from the dominant beat.
Tempo: The speed of the music- varying from very fast to very slow.
Time signature: Indicates the specific meter of a musical composition, noted by two numbers for example ¾
indicates that each measure consists of the equivalent of 3 beats.
The more you understand the music, the easier you can dance.
~ Orlando Gutinez
11
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