ballet
Ballet is a highly technical form of artistic dance that uses precise and graceful movements to tell a story or express an idea. It is usually performed on a stage to classical music by dancers wearing special clothing and shoes.
Examples
3 of 5My younger sister goes to ballet class every Tuesday afternoon.
My younger sister goes to ballet class every Tuesday afternoon.
The National Theater is proud to present a new production of the classic ballet, Swan Lake.
The National Theater is proud to present a new production of the classic ballet, Swan Lake.
I'm thinking about going to the ballet this weekend; do you want to come?
I'm thinking about going to the ballet this weekend; do you want to come?
Antonyms
Word Family
Memory Tip
Remember that the 't' is silent because ballet dancers move silently and gracefully across the stage.
Quick Quiz
Anna has been practicing for months because she wants to be a professional _____ dancer.
Correct!
The correct answer is: ballet
Examples
My younger sister goes to ballet class every Tuesday afternoon.
everydayMy younger sister goes to ballet class every Tuesday afternoon.
The National Theater is proud to present a new production of the classic ballet, Swan Lake.
formalThe National Theater is proud to present a new production of the classic ballet, Swan Lake.
I'm thinking about going to the ballet this weekend; do you want to come?
informalI'm thinking about going to the ballet this weekend; do you want to come?
Scholars often analyze the evolution of French ballet during the reign of Louis XIV.
academicScholars often analyze the evolution of French ballet during the reign of Louis XIV.
The bank decided to provide a significant grant to the local ballet company for their holiday tour.
businessThe bank decided to provide a significant grant to the local ballet company for their holiday tour.
Antonyms
Word Family
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
go to the ballet
go to the ballet
ballet school
ballet school
classical ballet
classical ballet
Often Confused With
A ballad is a slow song or poem that tells a story, while ballet is a style of dance.
A ballot is a piece of paper used for voting in an election.
Usage Notes
Use 'ballet' as an uncountable noun when referring to the art form in general (e.g., 'She loves ballet') or as a countable noun when referring to a specific performance (e.g., 'We saw three different ballets this year').
Common Mistakes
The most common mistake is pronouncing the final 't'. In English, the 't' at the end of 'ballet' is silent, making it sound like 'bal-lay'.
Memory Tip
Remember that the 't' is silent because ballet dancers move silently and gracefully across the stage.
Word Origin
Derived from the Italian word 'balletto', which is a diminutive of 'ballo' (dance).
Grammar Patterns
Cultural Context
Ballet is traditionally associated with high culture and has deep historical roots in the royal courts of France and Russia.
Quick Quiz
Anna has been practicing for months because she wants to be a professional _____ dancer.
Correct!
The correct answer is: ballet
Related Vocabulary
Related Words
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