Themes and topics

Dance vocabulary for ballet and beyond

Whether you're new to ballet, taking a jazz class, or learning hip hop basics, this list gathers common dance vocabulary you'll hear from instructors. Use it to follow class instructions more easily and to talk about technique and choreography with more precision.

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Dance vocabulary for ballet and beyond

Word	Meaning	In a sentence
choreographynoun	The sequence of steps and movements arranged for a dance or theatrical performance.	The choreography for the ballet combined classical technique with modern, sweeping movements.
temponoun	The speed or pace at which a piece of music is played, or the overall pace of an activity.	The conductor raised the tempo sharply for the symphony's dramatic final movement.
rhythmnoun	A strong, regular, repeated pattern of movement or sound, especially in music or speech.	The drummer kept a steady rhythm that made it easy for everyone to dance.
pliénoun	A ballet movement in which the dancer bends the knees while keeping the back straight and heels grounded.	The instructor asked the class to hold each plié for a full eight counts.
relevénoun	A ballet movement in which the dancer rises onto the balls of the feet or full point.	The instructor asked the class to hold each relevé for eight counts.
pirouettenoun	A fast, spinning turn made by a dancer while balanced on one foot.	The ballerina completed three perfect pirouettes before landing gracefully.
arabesquenoun	A ballet position in which a dancer stands on one leg with the other extended straight behind.	The dancer held a perfect arabesque as the music slowed to its final notes.
tendunoun	A basic ballet movement in which the working leg extends and the pointed foot slides along the floor.	The instructor had the beginners practice a slow tendu at the barre before moving to jumps.
jeténoun	A ballet jump in which a dancer leaps from one foot to the other, extending the legs.	The prima ballerina's jeté drew gasps as she seemed to hang in the air.
barrenoun	A horizontal handrail that dancers hold onto for support while practicing ballet exercises.	The dancers stretched carefully at the barre before rehearsal began.
pointenoun	A ballet technique in which a dancer supports their full body weight on the tips of the toes.	After years of training, she finally performed her first solo en pointe.
improvisationnoun	The act of creating, performing, or producing something spontaneously without prior preparation.	The jazz solo was pure improvisation, with no sheet music in sight.
freestylenoun	A swimming stroke, or any activity performed without fixed rules or a set routine.	She set a new school record in the fifty-meter freestyle event.
footworknoun	The skillful movement and placement of the feet, especially in sports, dance, or fighting.	The boxer's quick footwork let him dodge every punch his opponent threw.
isolationnoun	The state of being separate or apart from other people, places, or things.	Months of isolation during the harsh winter left the villagers eager for spring visitors.
groovenoun	A long, narrow channel or track cut into a surface; also a strong, steady rhythm in music.	The needle followed the groove on the old vinyl record as it spun.
breakdanceverb	To perform an energetic style of street dance featuring spins, freezes, and acrobatic floor moves, usually to hip-hop music.	Teenagers gathered in the plaza to breakdance to music from a portable speaker.
tapverb	To strike something lightly and quickly, often to get attention or make a soft sound.	She tapped her pen on the desk while waiting for the meeting to start.
balletnoun	A formal style of expressive dance characterized by precise, graceful movements, often performed with music.	She has practiced ballet since she was five years old.
jazznoun	A style of music, originating among African Americans, known for improvisation and syncopated rhythms.	The band played smooth jazz late into the night at the small club.
contemporaryadjective	Belonging to or reflecting the present time.	The gallery pairs historical portraits with contemporary photography.
ensemblenoun	A group of musicians, actors, or performers who work together, or a set of items that go well together.	The jazz ensemble performed for over two hours at the outdoor festival.
formationnoun	The process of forming something, or a particular arrangement or structure that results.	The formation of the committee took several months of negotiation among the departments.
spinverb	To turn or cause something to turn quickly around a central point.	The dancer began to spin gracefully across the stage under the lights.
leapverb	To jump or spring a long distance, to a great height, or with great force.	The dancer leaped gracefully across the stage during the final scene.
posturenoun	The position in which someone holds their body, especially the spine, while standing or sitting.	Years of hunching over a laptop had ruined her posture.
alignmentnoun	The correct or agreed arrangement of parts in relation to each other, or a state of agreement.	The mechanic adjusted the wheel alignment after the car began pulling to one side.
techniquenoun	A particular way of carrying out a task, especially one requiring skill or precision.	The swimmer refined her breathing technique to shave seconds off her time.
routinenoun	A fixed, regular sequence of actions habitually followed, especially in daily life.	Her morning routine includes yoga, coffee, and twenty minutes of reading.

Basic ballet terms

Ballet vocabulary is largely French, and it describes precise positions and movements. Plie is a bending of the knees, releve rises onto the balls of the feet or toes, and arabesque is a pose with one leg extended behind the body. A tendu stretches the foot along the floor, and a jete is a jump from one foot to the other.

Jazz and hip hop dance words

Jazz dance often uses isolation, moving one body part while keeping the rest still, along with sharp footwork and improvisation. Hip hop and breakdance emphasize groove, freestyle movement, and formation when dancing in a group, giving these styles a different feel from the structured positions of ballet.

Frequently asked questions

What does plie mean in ballet?

Plie is a basic ballet movement where the knees bend while the back stays straight and the feet remain turned out.

What is the difference between tap and jazz dance?

Tap dance focuses on rhythmic footwork made audible by metal plates on the shoes, while jazz dance emphasizes fluid, expressive body movement.