ballet

Pluralballets (some meanings)

Formsballets, balleting, balleted

1. 1
   noununcountable

   A graceful style of dance with set steps, careful balance, and turns on the toes.

   Like learning to play the piano: you practice the same moves again and again until they look easy.

   She has studied ballet since she was six years old.

   Ballet takes years of hard work to learn well.

   Note
2. 2
   nouncountable

   A stage show where dancers perform to music, often telling a story without words.

   Like a play, but the actors dance instead of speaking their lines.

   We watched a beautiful ballet at the theater last night.

   The children's ballet told the story of a magic toy.

   Note
3. 3
   nouncountable

   A group of dancers who work and perform together as one team.

   Like a sports team, but the players are dancers.

   The whole ballet rehearsed late into the night.

   She joined the city ballet right after graduating.

   Similarcompany, troupe

4. 4
   nounfigurativelycountable or uncountable

   A complex set of actions where people must move and work together with careful timing.

   Like a dance where everyone must step at just the right moment.

   Getting everyone out of the building safely was a careful ballet.

   Morning traffic became a slow ballet of cars and buses.

   Similardance, choreography

   Note
5. 5
   verbtransitive or intransitive

   To move smoothly and gracefully, as if dancing on a stage.

   Like moving so smoothly that you seem to glide across the floor.

   Watch how the gymnasts ballet through their floor routine.

   She balleted the tray of glasses safely through the busy cafe.

   Similarglide, dance, waltz

   Note
6. 6
   nouncountable

   A cheerful song for several voices, with a 'fa-la-la' chorus, popular hundreds of years ago.

   Like a happy group song with a catchy part everyone hums along to.

   The choir sang a lively ballet with a bright fa-la-la chorus.

   Each ballet in the old songbook ends with the same cheerful refrain.

   Note

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