pas de deux

noun

plural pas de deux ˌpä-də-ˈdər(z) How to pronounce pas de deux (audio)
-ˈdə(z),
-ˈdü(z)
1
: a dance or figure for two performers
2
: an intricate relationship or activity involving two parties or things

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web But his love for her is platonic, seeing the Mermaid more like a chummy little sister by stealing her nose and palling around amid a few gorgeous pas de deux. Lauren Warnecke, Chicago Tribune, 20 Apr. 2023 And given the Black Swan dance coordinator’s bona fides in the ballet world, Millepied has added in a perverse amount of pas de deux, as well as flamenco numbers, street-dance showcases, and Broadway-style showstoppers. David Fear, Rolling Stone, 19 Apr. 2023 Annia Hidalgo and Davit Hovhannisyan created a stirring, powerful couple, in a poignant, sculpted pas de deux. Elaine Schmidt, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 1 Apr. 2022 The result is a pretty impressive pas de deux. Elizabeth Preston, Discover Magazine, 15 Aug. 2014 What is uncharacteristic for Highsmith about this narrative arrangement is not the frigid romance of male malefactors who, in spite of appearances, perceive each other as kindred spirits; many of her later plots consist of similarly bloody masculine pas de deux. Benjamin Kunkel, The New Republic, 8 Nov. 2021 During the last act of each film, the final girl and Jason lock into a grisly pas de deux. Grant Sutton, Vulture, 28 Oct. 2022 The second pas de deux occurs in Juliet’s bedroom, after the secret wedding. San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Feb. 2023 Soloist India Bradley recalls working on a pas de deux in Partita. Vulture, 19 Jan. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'pas de deux.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

French, literally, step for two

First Known Use

circa 1762, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of pas de deux was circa 1762

Dictionary Entries Near pas de deux

Cite this Entry

“Pas de deux.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pas%20de%20deux. Accessed 28 May. 2023.

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