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

The selection also includes Polish director and screenwriter Marta Prus’ drama Soloist, exploring the elite world of ballet and reinvention of the body and soul at the end of a career and beginning of something new. — Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 30 Oct. 2026

The Japanese fashion designer’s footwear creation reimagines the aesthetic of classical ballet pointe shoes, a style Rosalía is a noted fan of. — Karla Rodriguez, Footwear News, 29 Oct. 2026

Of course, the singer’s footwear is only the latest expression of her ongoing love affair with ballet. — Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 29 Oct. 2026

Another highlight is Matisse’s Jeune femme fardée à l’orientale (La bayadère), a 1929 painting of a nude inspired by the classical ballet La Bayadère. — Daniel Cassady For Artnews, Robb Report, 27 Oct. 2026

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

• ballet flat
• ballet shoe
• ballet slipper
• corps de ballet
• water ballet

Rhymes for ballet

• airway
• allay
• archway
• array
• ashtray
• assez
• astray
• aue
• away
• belay
• beltway
• beret

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