ballet flat

noun

plural ballet flats

1

: a slip-on shoe having a very low flat heel or no heel and resembling a ballet slipper

Ballet flats are elegant and minimalist, but that doesn't mean they're boring. A classic leather ballet flat is a must-have component of any capsule wardrobe …

—Morgan Halberg

2

: ballet slipper sense 1

Downstairs, in the young women's class, the only break that students have is for changing from ballet flats into toe shoes before taking up positions at the bar.

—Ann Geracimos

Examples of ballet flat in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The Natalie ballet flat, a more romantic and free silhouette adorned with an asymmetric bow, is assigned to Marianne (Creed-Miles). — Jaden Thompson, Footwear News, 30 Sep. 2026

For more of our favorite comfy fall flats, check out Amazon’s best ballet flats, loafers, Mary Janes, dress flats, and more below. — Caley Sturgill, Southern Living, 29 Sep. 2026

Classic straight-leg jeans + two-tone ballet flats Straight-leg jeans are a forever favorite for a reason. — René Chávez Esparza, Glamour, 29 Sep. 2026

From cozy matching sets to comfy ballet flats and polished basics, shop our moms’ tried-and-true picks, all from Amazon’s fashion department. — Jeaneen Russell, PEOPLE, 28 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1936, in the meaning defined at sense 1