Dance Terminology

noun a type of performance dance that originated in the Italian Renaissance courts of the 15th century

• The ballet performance at the theater was exquisite and well-rehearsed.
• I love watching ballet because the dancers make it look so effortless and graceful.
• Have you seen that new ballet video? It's lit!
• Her movements were like a ballet, fluid and precise.

adjective relating to or characteristic of ballet

• The balletic movements of the prima ballerina captivated the audience.
• She moved across the stage in a balletic manner that was mesmerizing.
• Did you see that guy's balletic skills on the dance floor last night?
• The balletic precision with which he executed his plan was impressive.

noun a large room used for dancing and other social gatherings

• The ballroom was elegantly decorated for the charity gala.
• Let's meet in the ballroom for the dance lessons.
• I heard there's a killer party happening in the ballroom tonight.
• Her mind was a ballroom of thoughts, each one swirling around in a graceful dance.

noun a rhythmic flow of a sequence of sounds or words

verb not applicable

adjective not applicable

adverb not applicable

pronoun not applicable

preposition not applicable

conjunction not applicable

interjection not applicable

article not applicable

• The pianist played the piece with perfect cadence.
• I love how the song has a nice cadence to it.
• The rapper's flow has a sick cadence.
• Her speech had a rhythmic cadence that captivated the audience.

noun a frivolous escapade or prank

verb to skip or dance in a lively or playful way

• The chef prepared a delicious dish using capers as a key ingredient.
• Let's add some capers to the salad for extra flavor.
• I'm not a fan of capers, they taste weird to me.
• The spy's latest caper involved stealing classified documents from the enemy's headquarters.

noun A person who designs and directs dance performances

• The choreographer meticulously planned each dance move for the ballet performance.
• The choreographer is in charge of teaching us the dance routine for the show.
• The choreographer totally killed it with the dance routine for the music video.
• As a choreographer of life, she carefully orchestrated each moment to create a beautiful story.

noun the sequence of steps and movements in dance or figure skating

• The choreography of the ballet was meticulously planned and executed.
• I love watching dance shows with amazing choreography.
• That dance crew has some sick choreo!
• The choreography of the negotiation was delicate and strategic.

verb to move or revolve around something

adjective describing something that is in the shape of a circle or is moving in a circular motion

• The airplane was circling the airport waiting for clearance to land.
• The hawk was circling overhead, probably looking for food.
• The students were circling around the new student, eager to make friends.
• Thoughts of doubt and uncertainty kept circling in her mind.

adjective describing someone who lacks coordination or is awkward in movement

• The clumsy waiter spilled water on the customer's lap.
• I'm so clumsy, I keep dropping things everywhere.
• She's such a klutz, always tripping over her own feet.
• His clumsy attempt at flirting left her unimpressed.

noun a girl's name of Gaelic origin, meaning 'girl'

• Colleen is a dedicated employee who always completes her work on time.
• I heard Colleen is throwing a party next weekend, want to go?
• Colleen is so chill, she's always down for a good time.
• Colleen's smile lights up the room like a beacon of positivity.

verb to release or free from a restraint or constraint

adjective having freedom or independence

adverb in a manner that is unrestrained or without inhibition

• After completing all of her work for the day, she decided to cut loose and relax at home.
• Let's cut loose and have some fun tonight!
• I'm ready to cut loose and party all night long!
• It's time to cut loose from all the stress and worries weighing you down.

noun a place where people go to dance socially

• The elegant ballroom was transformed into a lively dance hall for the evening.
• Let's head over to the dance hall and bust a move!
• The dance hall was lit with all the latest tunes and cool vibes.
• Her mind was a dance hall of conflicting emotions, swirling around like dancers on a floor.

noun the skillful movement of the feet, especially in dancing or athletics

• The dancer's impeccable footwork was a testament to years of rigorous training.
• I need to work on my footwork if I want to keep up with the other players on the court.
• His footwork on the dance floor was on point last night.
• In order to navigate the complex political landscape, one must have precise footwork.

noun a smooth continuous movement

verb to move smoothly and effortlessly

adverb in a smooth and effortless manner

• The figure skater was able to effortlessly glide across the ice.
• I love watching birds glide through the sky.
• Check out that car, it can really glide down the highway.
• Her words seemed to glide effortlessly out of her mouth, captivating everyone in the room.

noun favor or goodwill

• She moved with grace and elegance as she greeted the guests at the formal event.
• He tripped over his own feet, but managed to recover with a bit of grace.
• She handled the situation with so much grace, it was impressive.
• The dancer's movements were like poetry in motion, a true display of grace.

noun a slang term for a skilled dancer, especially in tap dancing

• The hoofer showcased their impeccable footwork during the ballet performance.
• I heard that new hoofer at the dance studio is really talented.
• Check out that hoofer busting a move on the dance floor!
• As a hoofer in the business world, she always knows how to navigate tricky situations with grace.

noun a word (other than a pronoun) used to identify any of a class of people, places, or things

adjective a word naming an attribute of a noun, such as sweet, red, or technical

adverb a word or phrase that modifies or qualifies an adjective, verb, or other adverb

preposition a word governing, and usually preceding, a noun or pronoun and expressing a relation to another word or element in the clause

• The company's policies are always in step with the latest regulations.
• Our team is always in step with each other when it comes to project deadlines.
• We need to make sure we're in step with the cool kids if we want to fit in.
• His actions were always in step with his beliefs, showing true integrity.

noun a word that represents a person, place, or thing

adverb modifies a verb, adjective, or another adverb by providing information about the manner, place, time, or degree of an action

preposition a word that shows the relationship between a noun (or pronoun) and other words in a sentence

• The team members were all in step during the presentation.
• Let's make sure we're all in step before we start the project.
• We need to be in step if we want to win this competition.
• Their opinions were not in step with the rest of the group.

adverb modifies a verb, adjective, or another adverb to indicate manner, time, place, or degree

• The robot moved jerkily as it tried to navigate through the narrow hallway.
• She danced jerkily to the music, trying to follow the beat.
• He drove jerkily down the road, swerving in and out of lanes.
• The conversation proceeded jerkily, with awkward pauses and stilted responses.

noun a lively dance or a piece of music for such a dance

verb to dance a jig or to move in a quick, lively manner

• The carpenter used a jig to create precise cuts in the wood.
• I saw the fisherman using a jig to catch some fish.
• Let's do the jig dance at the party tonight!
• She had to learn to jig around the obstacles in her path to success.

verb making or causing to make a ringing metallic sound

adjective making or causing a ringing metallic sound

• The sound of the jingling bells could be heard from a distance.
• I love the jingling sound of the wind chimes in my garden.
• The jingling of coins in his pocket made him feel rich.
• Her laughter was like the jingling of a thousand bells.

noun language or speech that is insincere or pretentious

verb to deceive or trick someone

adjective related to or characteristic of jive music or dancing

• The researchers found that the data did not jive with their initial hypothesis.
• I don't think his story really jives with what actually happened.
• That new song has such a good jive to it, I can't stop dancing!
• Their personalities just don't jive, they clash too much.

adjective describing someone who moves quickly and lightly on their feet

• The ballet dancer moved across the stage with light footed grace.
• She's so light footed, she could probably sneak up on anyone.
• I've never seen anyone so light footed on the dance floor before.
• His mind was light footed, able to navigate through complex problems effortlessly.

noun a characteristic rising and falling of the voice when speaking; a pleasant gentle accent or inflection in speech

verb to speak, sing, or play with a lilt

• The singer's voice had a beautiful lilt to it, captivating the audience.
• I love the lilt in her accent, it's so charming.
• That song has such a cool lilt to it, I can't stop listening.
• The wind carried a gentle lilt through the trees, creating a peaceful atmosphere.

noun a warm-up exercise or routine to prepare the body for physical activity

verb to prepare one's body for physical activity by doing warm-up exercises

• Before starting the race, the athletes were instructed to limber up to prevent any injuries.
• Hey, make sure you limber up before we hit the gym later.
• I always feel better after I limber up before dancing.
• She needed to limber up her mind before tackling the complex problem.

adjective describing a person's body as thin, supple, and graceful

• The lithe dancer moved gracefully across the stage.
• She's so lithe, she can bend in ways I never thought possible.
• That yoga instructor is seriously lithe, like a rubber band.
• His lithe mind was able to navigate complex problems with ease.

adjective Describing a person or place as full of energy and enthusiasm; animated and spirited.

• The lively discussion at the conference kept everyone engaged.
• The party was so lively with music and dancing all night long.
• The concert was lit, the crowd was so lively!
• Her eyes were lively with excitement as she talked about her upcoming trip.

noun the middle part of the body, between the chest and the waist

adjective relating to or located in the midriff

• She wore a dress that revealed her midriff, which was considered inappropriate for the formal event.
• I need to work on toning my midriff before summer hits.
• Check out her abs, her midriff is on point!
• The company's financial midriff was showing signs of strain.

noun a series of organized activities or actions working toward a particular goal

• The study of animal movements is crucial for understanding their behavior.
• I love watching dance movements, they're so graceful and mesmerizing.
• Check out the sick dance movements that guy's busting out!
• The political movements of the 1960s had a lasting impact on society.

noun the quality or state of being agile and quick in movement or action

• The gymnast's nimbleness was evident in her flawless routine.
• I envy your nimbleness on the dance floor.
• She's got mad nimbleness skills when it comes to gaming.
• His nimbleness of mind allowed him to quickly adapt to new situations.

noun a set of two similar or matching things

verb to form pairs or couples

• During the dance, the guests were encouraged to pair off and participate in the waltz.
• At the party, everyone started to pair off and chat with each other.
• I heard that some students are planning to pair off and study together for the exam.
• In nature, birds often pair off with a mate for life.

noun a dance step or movement in ballet

adjective no longer fashionable or in current use

• The old traditions have long since passe and are no longer relevant in today's society.
• That fashion trend is so passe, no one wears that anymore.
• Dude, that song is so passe, you need to update your playlist.
• His ideas on leadership are passe, we need to bring in some fresh perspectives.

noun a repeated light tapping sound

verb to make a rapid succession of light tapping sounds

• The patter of rain on the roof was a soothing sound as I worked in my study.
• I love the patter of my dog's paws as he runs around the house.
• The patter of gossip in the office was getting out of control.
• The patter of applause filled the room as the speaker finished their inspiring speech.

noun a person who entertains an audience by acting, singing, dancing, or playing music

• The performer captivated the audience with their exceptional talent and stage presence.
• The performer totally killed it on stage tonight!
• That performer is a real showstopper!
• The performer was like a shining star in the night sky, lighting up the entire stage with their performance.

verb to practice or repeat in preparation for a performance or presentation

• The actors gathered in the theater to rehearse their lines for the upcoming play.
• Let's rehearse the dance routine one more time before the show.
• We need to rehearse our presentation so we don't mess up in front of the boss.
• It's important to rehearse your responses before going into a difficult conversation.

noun a collection or stock of works, skills, or items that are available for use or performance

adjective relating to or characteristic of a repertory

• The theater company has a diverse repertory of classic plays.
• I love going to see all the different shows in the theater's repertory.
• The band's repertory of songs is lit!
• His repertory of skills is what sets him apart from the competition.

noun a word that represents a person, place, thing, or idea

adjective a word that describes or modifies a noun or pronoun

adverb a word that modifies a verb, adjective, or another adverb

preposition a word that shows the relationship between a noun or pronoun and other words in a sentence

• Please make sure to turn right and then left at the intersection.
• Just go right and then left when you reach the corner.
• Hang a right and then take a left at the next street.
• She always seems to be pulled in two directions, like she can't decide which way to go - right and left.

noun a Spanish term of address equivalent to 'Miss' or 'young lady'

• The senorita greeted the guests at the formal dinner party.
• I saw the senorita at the market earlier today.
• Hey, senorita, can you pass me that drink?
• The old theater was like a senorita, elegant and full of charm.

adjective relating to or consisting in the gratification of the senses or the indulgence of appetite

• The artist's painting captured the sensual beauty of the human form.
• The movie had a lot of sensual scenes that made me feel uncomfortable.
• That new perfume is so sensual, it drives me crazy.
• The music had a sensual rhythm that seemed to caress the soul.

noun a noisy disturbance; a rowdy or uproarious party or celebration

• The neighbors complained about the loud shindy coming from the apartment next door.
• They always cause a shindy whenever they have a party.
• Let's go out and start a shindy tonight!
• The political debate turned into a shindy with each side arguing loudly.

verb To move quickly and energetically

adverb In a quick and energetic manner

• Please remember to step lively during the ceremony.
• Hey, let's step lively and get this party started!
• Come on, dude, step lively or we'll miss the bus!
• In order to succeed in business, you need to step lively and stay ahead of the competition.

noun a movement made by lifting one foot and putting it down in a new position

verb to move by lifting one foot and putting it down in a new position

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• Please take one step at a time when learning a new skill.
• Just take it one step at a time, you'll get there eventually.
• Dude, you need to step up your game if you want to impress her.
• Sometimes we have to take a step back in order to move forward in life.

noun a place where a particular art is practiced

• The artist spent hours in the studio perfecting her latest masterpiece.
• Let's hang out at my friend's studio and jam some music.
• I heard that new rapper is dropping a fire mixtape in the studio.
• His mind was a studio of creative ideas waiting to be brought to life.

noun a rocking or swinging movement

verb to move or swing slowly from side to side

• The politician's speech had a powerful sway over the audience.
• The music had a nice sway to it, making everyone want to dance.
• She's got some serious sway with the popular crowd.
• The decision to invest in renewable energy will have a positive sway on the environment.

verb to move slowly back and forth or from side to side

adjective showing a gentle movement from side to side

• The tall trees were swaying in the gentle breeze.
• I could see the branches swaying back and forth.
• The party was so lit, everyone was swaying to the music.
• Her emotions were swaying between excitement and fear.

adjective describing someone or something as graceful, slender, and delicate, like a sylph (a mythological spirit of the air)

• The ballerina moved across the stage with sylphlike grace and elegance.
• She was sylphlike in her movements, as if she were floating on air.
• That model has a sylphlike figure that everyone envies.
• Her sylphlike presence seemed to enchant everyone around her.

noun Terpsichore - In Greek mythology, the Muse of choral song and dance

• Terpsichore was one of the nine Muses in Greek mythology, specifically the muse of dance and chorus.
• Have you heard of Terpsichore? She's the Greek muse of dance.
• I'm feeling like a Terpsichore today, ready to hit the dance floor!
• Her movements on the stage were so graceful, like a modern-day Terpsichore.

noun a musical instrument consisting of a small drum with jingling metal disks attached to the rim

• The musician played the timbrel during the orchestra performance.
• I love the sound of the timbrel in that song.
• Let's jam out with the timbrel tonight!
• Her laughter was like the tinkling of a timbrel in the wind.

noun the front part of the foot

verb to walk quietly and carefully on one's toes

adjective done or moving quietly and carefully on one's toes

adverb in a quiet and careful manner on one's toes

• She walked on tiptoe to avoid making noise in the library.
• I had to tiptoe around the house so I wouldn't wake anyone up.
• I saw him tiptoeing out of the party early last night.
• She tiptoed around the subject, not wanting to upset anyone.

noun a spinning or rotating movement

verb to spin or rotate quickly

• The ballerina performed a graceful twirl on stage.
• She loves to twirl around in her new dress.
• Let's twirl our way to the dance floor and show off our moves.
• Her mind started to twirl with ideas after the brainstorming session.

noun vitality or enthusiasm in expressing ideas, especially in artistic performance

• The young pianist played with great verve and passion during the concert.
• She tackled the project with verve and enthusiasm, impressing everyone with her energy.
• That dancer has so much verve, she really knows how to bring the party to life.
• His storytelling had a certain verve to it, making the audience hang on his every word.

noun the quality of being attractively lively and animated

• Her vivacity and enthusiasm for the project were evident in every meeting.
• She always brings so much vivacity to the party with her lively personality.
• I love hanging out with Sarah, she has such a cool vibe and vivacity.
• The garden seemed to come alive with vivacity as the flowers bloomed in the spring.

noun a period of exercise or practice to prepare for a more intense activity

verb to prepare for a physical activity by exercising or practicing

• It is important to warm up before engaging in any physical activity to prevent injuries.
• Let's make sure to warm up before we start playing basketball.
• I always feel better after I warm up before going for a run.
• I like to warm up my brain by doing some crossword puzzles before starting work.

noun a slang term used to express excitement, approval, or to show off a physical feat

• The athlete executed a perfect yeet during the high jump competition.
• I'm going to yeet this ball as far as I can.
• I yeeted my phone across the room when I got the good news.
• She yeeted herself out of the toxic relationship and never looked back.

noun a word that represents a person, place, thing, or idea

verb a word that expresses an action, occurrence, or state of being

• At the charity ball, the guests were elegantly dancing and cutting a rug on the polished dance floor.
• I heard you really know how to cut a rug on the dance floor. Let's see some moves!
• We're going to the club tonight to cut a rug and have a great time.
• The new Broadway show is so exciting, it will make you want to get up and cut a rug in the aisles.

noun a word that represents a person, place, thing, or idea

verb a word that expresses an action or a state of being

adjective a word that describes or modifies a noun or pronoun

preposition a word that shows the relationship between a noun (or pronoun) and other words in a sentence

• The dancers were instructed to throw shapes in a synchronized manner during the performance.
• At the party, everyone was throwing shapes on the dance floor.
• I love watching people throw shapes at the club!
• His storytelling skills were so captivating, he could really throw shapes with words.

verb to begin walking in rhythm with someone else

preposition a word that shows the relationship between a noun (or pronoun) and other words in a sentence

• As the music started playing, the soldiers fell into step and began marching in perfect unison.
• When we walked together, I noticed my friend trying to fall into step with my pace.
• I tried to fall into step with the cool kids at school, but I just couldn't keep up with their slang.
• After a few minutes of practice, the new employee was able to fall into step with the rest of the team and contribute effectively.

noun a move or series of dance steps

verb to perform a dance move or series of dance steps with energy and enthusiasm

• The dancer showcased her talent by busting some impressive moves during the performance.
• Hey, let's hit the dance floor and bust a move together!
• I saw him busting some sick moves at the club last night.
• In order to succeed in business, sometimes you have to be willing to bust a move and take risks.

noun a type of dance movement in which the hands are held with palms facing forward and fingers splayed, often performed in musical theater or jazz dance routines

• The performer concluded their routine with a graceful display of jazz hands.
• She always adds jazz hands at the end of her dance performances.
• I can't help but throw in some jazz hands when I'm feeling extra excited.
• He greeted the news of his promotion with jazz hands, metaphorically speaking.

noun a word that represents a person, place, thing, or idea

verb a word that expresses an action or state of being

preposition a word that shows the relationship between a noun (or pronoun) and other words in a sentence

article a word that specifies a noun as definite or indefinite

• It is considered inappropriate to show a bit of ankle or leg in a formal setting.
• You can show a bit of ankle or leg if you're going for a casual look.
• Hey, why not show a bit of ankle or leg to spice up your outfit?
• She decided to show a bit of ankle or leg by revealing a hint of her true self during the interview.

adjective describing a combination of dance and musical elements

• The dancical performance was a beautiful blend of dance and musical elements.
• I heard that new show is a dancical - should be fun to watch!
• Let's go check out that dancical at the theater tonight.
• Her movements were so graceful, it was like she was performing a dancical on ice.

noun A female ballet dancer

• The danseuse gracefully performed a ballet routine on stage.
• The danseuse looked stunning in her performance last night.
• That danseuse has some serious moves!
• The danseuse moved with such fluidity, she seemed like a living sculpture.

noun the art or technique of arranging or styling hair, especially in a complex or intricate manner

• The dancer's flawless hairography added an extra level of elegance to her performance.
• I need to work on my hairography before the dance recital next week.
• Her hairography was on point during the music video shoot.
• His hairography on the soccer field was so smooth, it was like watching a well-choreographed dance.

noun a made-up word that does not have a specific definition in the English language

• The rebolation of the economy is a complex issue that requires careful analysis.
• I can feel the rebolation in the air as we approach the busy holiday season.
• The party last night had some serious rebolation going on!
• Her emotions were in a state of rebolation, constantly shifting and changing.

noun a French expression meaning 'with reckless abandon' or 'headlong'

adverb modifying how something is done or the manner in which an action is performed

• Elle s'est lancée dans ce projet à corps perdu, en y consacrant tout son temps et son énergie.
• Quand il s'agit de jouer au football, il se lance toujours à corps perdu, sans se soucier des conséquences.
• Elle est tombée amoureuse de lui à corps perdu, elle ne pense plus qu'à lui.
• Il s'est engagé dans cette bataille à corps perdu, prêt à tout pour atteindre son objectif.

noun a word that refers to a person, place, thing, event, substance, or quality

adjective a word that describes or modifies a noun or pronoun

• The restaurant offers additional accompaniment options for an extra charge.
• You can add some extra sides as additional accompaniment to your meal.
• I always love getting some extra goodies as additional accompaniment.
• Her supportive words served as an additional accompaniment to his success.

noun a noun is a word that represents a person, place, thing, or idea. In this case, 'deux' is a noun in French meaning 'two'.

preposition a preposition is a word that shows the relationship between a noun (or pronoun) and other words in a sentence. In this case, 'à' is a preposition in French meaning 'to' or 'at'.

• Le projet a été réalisé à deux pour assurer la qualité du travail.
• On a décidé de partir en vacances à deux pour changer d'air.
• Ils se sont mis à deux pour réparer la voiture.
• Ils ont décidé de s'associer à deux pour conquérir le marché.