pas de deux

noun

ˌpä-də-ˈdər 

-ˈdə, 

-ˈdü 

plural pas de deux ˌpä-də-ˈdər(z) 

-ˈdə(z), 

-ˈdü(z)

1

: a dance or figure for two performers

2

: an intricate relationship or activity involving two parties or things

Examples of pas de deux in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

For her 23rd birthday, Maxwell shared a mood board that included the 2005 Japanese comedy Linda Linda Linda, Nicole Kidman smoking a cigarette at Cannes in 2003, and the pas de deux from the ballet Le Parc (1994), choreographed by Angelin Preljocaj. —P. Claire Dodson, Vogue, 28 Jan. 2026

And so, the grotesque pas de deux between the police and the press continued. —Literary Hub, 27 Jan. 2026

But how to explain the Democratic leadership’s continuing willingness to accept the other role in this pas de deux, that of the fretting, moralistic mugwump who cannot break the grip of inertia? —Rosa Lyster, Harpers Magazine, 30 Dec. 2025

His role centers on supporting the Sugar Plum Fairy in one of ballet’s most iconic pas de deux, mirroring this Air sign’s desire for balance and harmony. —Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 24 Dec. 2025

Word History

Etymology

French, literally, step for two

First Known Use

circa 1762, in the meaning defined at sense 1