Ballet Terminology & Steps
A number of students have asked for this. So here is a list to help you remember your steps:
A
À terre (ah TEHR — on the floor / on the ground)
A movement or step performed with the working foot remaining in contact with the floor rather than leaving it.
Adage (Adagio) (ah-DAHZH / ah-DAH-jee-oh — slow and sustained)
A sequence of smooth, controlled movements designed to develop balance, strength, stability, and fluidity while highlighting extension and line.
Allegro (ah-LEG-roh — fast and energetic)
A lively section of ballet featuring quick movements, jumps, turns, and dynamic footwork.
Allongé (ah-lohn-ZHAY — extended or lengthened)
A position where the arms, legs, or body are stretched to create a longer, more elegant line.
Arabesque (ah-rah-BESK)
A classical ballet position where the dancer balances on one leg while the other leg extends behind the body, creating a long and balanced shape.
Arrière (ah-ree-EHR — to the back / backward)
A direction indicating that a movement or placement is performed toward the back.
Assemblé (ah-sahn-BLAY — joined together)
A jump where one leg brushes outward from the floor before both legs come together in the air and land together.
Attitude (ah-tee-TEWD)
A position where the dancer balances on one leg while the other leg is lifted and bent, creating a curved line.
B
Barre (bar — ballet rail)
A fixed horizontal rail used during ballet training to support balance while dancers practise technique, strength, alignment, and flexibility.
Balletomane (bal-lay-toh-MAHN — ballet enthusiast)
A person who has a strong appreciation for ballet and follows the art form closely.
Ballon (bah-LON — lightness / bounce)
The quality of appearing weightless during jumps, creating the feeling of floating through the air.
Battement (bat-MAHN — to beat)
A movement where the working leg extends, brushes, or strikes outward from the supporting leg.
Brisé (bree-ZAY — broken)
A travelling jump where the legs beat together in the air before landing, creating a sharp and precise movement.
C
Cabriole (kab-ree-OHL — caper)
A jump where one leg lifts into the air and is struck by the other leg before landing with control.
Chaînés (sheh-NAY — chain / linked turns)
A series of connected turns performed quickly on alternating feet, allowing the dancer to travel smoothly.
Chassé (sha-SAY — to chase)
A travelling step where one foot follows the other in a smooth gliding action.
Coupé (koo-PAY — to cut)
A connecting step where one foot replaces the supporting foot, linking movements together.
Croisé (krah-ZAY — crossed)
A body position where the legs appear crossed from the audience’s viewpoint, creating an elegant diagonal line.
De côté (duh koh-TAY — to the side)
A direction indicating that a movement is performed sideways.
D
Dégagé (De -gar-jhay)
Like tendu, but the foot lifts a tiny bit off the floor.
Demi (duh-MEE — half)
A term describing a partial movement or position, such as a demi-plié or demi-pointe.
Derrière (deh-RYEHR — to the back)
A placement or movement directed behind the body.
Devant (duh-VAHN — to the front)
A placement or movement directed toward the front of the body.
Développé (day-vuh-loh-PAY — to unfold / develop)
A controlled movement where the working foot rises to the knee before slowly extending outward into the air.
E
Échappé (ay-sha-PAY — escaped)
A movement where the feet move from a closed position into an open position.
En avant (ahn ah-VAHN — forward)
A direction indicating movement toward the front.
En l’air (ahn LEHR — in the air)
A movement or position performed with the working leg lifted from the floor.
En croix (ahn KRWAH — in the shape of a cross)
A movement where the leg travels front, side, and back in sequence.
En dedans (ahn duh-DAHN — inward)
A circular movement where the working leg moves toward the supporting leg.
En dehors (ahn duh-OR — outward)
A circular movement where the working leg moves away from the supporting leg.
Entrechat (ahn-truh-SHAH — braiding)
A jump where the legs quickly cross and beat together in front and behind while airborne.
F
Fondu (fohn-DEW — sink / melt)
A controlled lowering movement where the dancer bends the supporting leg smoothly.
Fouetté (fweh-TAY — whipped)
A whipping action of the leg or a turning movement using the momentum of the working leg.
Frappé (fra-PAY — to strike)
A sharp movement where the working foot strikes or brushes the floor with energy and precision.
G
Glissade (glee-SAD — to glide)
A travelling step where the dancer smoothly slides across the floor.
Grand Battement (Graand-Bat-te-maand)
A big kick, but keep it graceful.
Grand jeté (grahn zhuh-TAY — large throw)
A powerful leap where the dancer travels through the air with extended legs.
J
Jeté (zhuh-TAY — to throw)
A movement where one leg is thrown or extended outward.
O
Ouvert (oo-VEHR — open)
A term describing a position where the body, arms, or legs are opened away from a closed position.
P
Pas de chat (pah duh shah — step of the cat)
A light jumping movement where the legs lift one after another, resembling a cat’s leap.
Pas de cheval (pah duh shuh-VAHL — step of the horse)
A movement where the foot brushes along the floor before lifting.
Pas de deux (pah duh DUH — dance for two)
A ballet duet performed by two dancers.
Passé (pah-SAY — passed)
A transitional movement where one leg passes the supporting leg into another position.
Penché (pahn-SHAY — leaning)
A position where the body tilts while maintaining balance and creating a long line.
Petit saut (puh-TEE soh — small jump)
A small jump performed with control and lightness.
Pirouette (peer-oo-WET — spinning top)
A turn where the dancer rotates on one supporting foot.
Plié (plee-AY — bend)
A bending of the knees while maintaining turnout, with demi-plié meaning half bend and grand plié meaning full bend.
Port de bras (por duh BRAH — movement of the arms)
A series of graceful arm movements coordinated with the body.
Posé (poh-ZAY — to step)
A movement where the dancer steps onto a straight supporting leg.
Relevé (ruh-luh-VAY — raised)
A movement where the dancer rises from demi-plié onto demi-pointe or pointe.
R
Rond de jambe (rohn duh ZHAHM — round of the leg)
A circular movement of the working leg while keeping the hips stable.
S
Sauté (soh-TAY — jump)
A jump where the dancer springs into the air from one or both feet.
Sissonne (see-SON — scissor-like movement)
A jump where the legs separate in the air before landing.
Soutenu (soo-tuh-NEW — sustained)
A smooth, continuous movement often referring to a controlled turn in sous-sus.
T
Temps levé (tahn luh-VAY — to hop)
A small hopping movement performed on one leg.
Tendu (tahn-DEW — to stretch)
A movement where the working foot slides along the floor and extends away before returning to a closed position.
