Ballet Terms

Ballet has its own unique vocabulary, and much of it is written in French. This is because ballet developed in the royal courts of France during the seventeenth century, particularly under King Louis XIV, who helped establish ballet as a formal art form. As ballet spread throughout the world, the French terminology remained the international language of dance. Today, dancers from every country learn and use the same French terms, creating a shared vocabulary that connects ballet schools, companies, and performers across the globe.  ​