ballet

noun

bal·​let ba-ˈlā 

ˈba-ˌlā

1

a

: a theatrical art form using dancing, music, and scenery to convey a story, theme, or atmosphere

b

: dancing in which conventional poses and steps are combined with light flowing figures (such as leaps and turns)

2

: music for a ballet

3

: a group that performs ballets

4

: something likened to a ballet especially in complexity and precision of movement

Where else can you peek into the kitchen and see a quiet ballet of cooks, their entire attention focused on feeding a mere 65 people?

—Ruth Reichl

Rather, it is people and the daily ballet of urban life that make a city.

—Steven Earnest et al.

balletic

ba-ˈle-tik 

adjective

Examples of ballet in a Sentence

She does tap dancing and ballet.

We are going to a ballet tonight.

This is one of my favorite ballets.

Recent Examples on the Web

On her Instagram Stories, Hailey shared a full-length shot of the look, revealing a matching pair of brown ballet flats. —Catherine Santino, People.com, 6 Dec. 2024

Pair it with your favorite winter skivvy and ballet flats for the cooler months and when summer arrives, wear it on its own with sandals. —Tiffany Leigh, Forbes, 5 Dec. 2024

The former stuns in a black oversized leather jacket layered over a bralette, a patterned scarf adorning her hair, a thin Gucci belt cinching her dark-wash denim jeans, and pointed-toe ballet flats. —Essence, 2 Dec. 2024

The Swedish brand is offering up to 30% off suede bags, lug-sole boots and ballet flats. —Cortne Bonilla, Vogue, 2 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from French, "theatrical presentation telling a story by means of dance and mime," borrowed from Italian balletto (also "short, well-done dance, semblance of a dance done for amusement"), from ballo "dance" (noun derivative of ballare "to dance," going back to Late Latin ballāre) + -etto, diminutive suffix — more at ball entry 3

First Known Use

1608, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing ballet

• corps de ballet
• water ballet

Kids Definition

ballet

noun

bal·​let ˈbal-ā 

ba-ˈlā

1

a

: an art form that uses dancing to tell a story or express a theme

b

: dancing in which poses and steps are combined with leaps and turns

2

: a group that performs ballets

Etymology

from French ballet "ballet," derived from Italian ballare "to dance," from Latin ballare "to dance" — related to ball entry 3