A Beginner’s Guide to Ballet Terminology Every Adult Dancer Should Know

Ballet has its own language — and for anyone stepping into an adult ballet class for the first time, that language can feel like a foreign dialect. Most ballet terms come from French, dating back to the 17th century when King Louis XIV standardised the art form. This guide explains the essential terms clearly, so you can walk into your first class feeling prepared, not lost.

Why Ballet Uses French Terminology

The language used for ballet was French with the establishment of the Académie Royale de Danse by Louis XIV in Paris in 1661. The use of French was intended to ensure that there was a standardized language used for ballet that would overcome any language barriers, which is why a dance instructor in Singapore will use the same terminology used by a choreographer in London.

Core Positions Every Adult Ballet Student Learns First

Before jumps, turns, or combinations, every ballet class begins with positions. These are the building blocks everything else is built upon.

The Five Positions of the Feet

• First position — Heels together, toes turned outward to form a straight line. This is where most exercises begin.
• Second position — Feet shoulder-width apart, both turned out. Used as a base for wide-legged movements.
• Third position — One foot placed in front of the other, heel touching the arch. Less common in modern teaching but foundational historically.
• Fourth position — Feet apart front-to-back, both turned out. Requires hip flexibility and alignment awareness.
• Fifth position — Feet fully crossed, heel of front foot touching toe of back foot. The most demanding and precise of the five.

Positions of the Arms (Port de Bras)

Port de bras is French for “carriage of the arms.” While the placement of the arms is somewhat different depending on the style of ballet (RAD, Vaganova, or Cecchetti), in all cases, the arms are curved and lengthened. In adult beginner ballet classes, teachers often focus on Bras Bas (low arms), First, and Second before introducing more complex port de bras sequences.

Essential Ballet Terms You Will Hear in Class

At the Barre

The barre is the horizontal rail you hold during the first half of class. It provides support while you build strength, balance, and muscle memory. These are the terms most commonly used during barre exercises:

• Plié (plee-AY) — A bend of the knees. A demi-plié is a half bend; a grand plié is a full bend. Every class starts here.
• Relevé (reh-leh-VAY) — Rising onto the balls of the feet. Builds calf strength and ankle stability.
• Tendu (tahn-DU) — Stretching the foot along the floor until only the toe touches. Essential for foot articulation.
• Dégagé (day-gah-ZHAY) — Similar to tendu but the foot lifts slightly off the floor. Faster and lighter.
• Rond de jambe (rawn duh ZHAMB) — “Circle of the leg.” The working leg traces a circular path on the floor or in the air.
• Fondu (fawn-DU) — “To melt.” A slow, controlled lowering on one leg while the other foot draws in. Develops strength and coordination.
• Frappé (fra-PAY) — A sharp strike of the foot against the ankle before extending. Builds speed and precision.
• Développé (day-vlaw-PAY) — The working leg slowly unfolds from a passé position to full extension. One of the most elegant exercises in the barre sequence.
• Grand battement (grahn bat-MAHN) — A large, energetic kick of the leg to hip height or above. Closes every barre sequence in most classes.

In the Centre and Across the Floor

Centre work repeats many barre exercises without the support of the rail, then progresses to turns, jumps, and longer combinations. Key terms include:

• Arabesque — Standing on one leg with the other extended behind, forming a long line from fingertips to toes.
• Attitude — Similar to arabesque, but the raised leg is bent at the knee at approximately 90 degrees.
• Passé / Retiré — The working foot is drawn up to the knee of the standing leg. The preparation position for pirouettes.
• Pirouette (peer-WET) — A full turn on one leg. Adult beginners typically start with quarter and half turns before attempting full rotations.
• Chassé (sha-SAY) — A sliding, chasing step where one foot “chases” the other. Used as a travelling step and jump preparation.
• Glissade (glee-SAHD) — A gliding step used as a linking movement between bigger steps.
• Sauté (so-TAY) — Simply, a jump. Sauté in first or second position is typically the first jump adults learn.
• Assemblé (ah-sahm-BLAY) — A jump where both feet come together in the air before landing in fifth. Clean assemblés take time and patience.

Alignment and Body Mechanics Terms

Ballet teachers talk about the body constantly — not in a critical way, but in a precise, architectural one. Understanding these terms helps you respond faster and correct yourself between exercises.

Term	What It Means	Why It Matters for Adults
Turnout	Rotation of the legs outward from the hip socket	Adult hips are less flexible than children’s — safe turnout comes from the hip, never forced from the knee or ankle
Alignment	The vertical relationship between ears, shoulders, hips, knees, and ankles	Poor alignment creates injury risk; correct alignment protects joints
Engage your core	Activating the deep abdominal muscles to support the spine	Critical for balance, stability, and preventing lower back strain
Épaulement	The angling and tilting of the shoulders and head relative to the hips	Adds artistry and three-dimensionality to otherwise flat-looking movement
En croix	“In the shape of a cross” — exercises done to the front, side, back, and side again	A common pattern in barre exercises; knowing it means you follow combinations faster

Musical Terminology Adult Beginners Often Encounter

Ballet and music are inseparable. You will hear these terms regularly:

• Tempo — The speed of the music. Adagio means slow and sustained; allegro means quick and bright.
• Adagio — Slow, flowing exercises often done in centre, focusing on balance, extension, and controlled movement.
• Allegro — The fast portion of class, typically where small jumps (petit allegro) and larger jumps (grand allegro) are performed.
• Phrase — A musical sentence. Ballet combinations are built to fit musical phrases, usually 8 counts.

Related Guide: What Makes the Vaganova Method Different from Other Ballet Training Systems?

A Quick Reference: The Most Common Corrections in Adult Class

Corrections are not criticism — they are the primary teaching tool in ballet. Here are the phrases adult beginners hear most, and what to actually do when you hear them:

• “Lengthen your neck” — Imagine space between your ears and shoulders. Stop gripping.
• “Pull up” — Lift through the torso. Do not collapse in the waist between exercises.
• “Soften your knees” — A slight, natural bend rather than hyper-extending or locking the joint.
• “Point through the foot” — Stretch from ankle to toe in sequence: ankle, then arch, then toes. Not just a curled toe.
• “Spot” — During turns, fix your gaze on a single point and whip your head around to return to it. This prevents dizziness and improves rotation.

Starting Your Ballet Journey as an Adult in Singapore

Knowing your ballet terms prior to taking your first class provides you with a real advantage right from the get-go. You’ll be using up much less brainpower trying to decipher what is being said and much more effort in just moving. Older students who come with some terms will have an easier ride.

If you are based in Singapore and looking to put this vocabulary to use, School of Russian Ballet Singapore offers structured adult beginner ballet classes designed specifically for those coming to dance with no prior experience. The programmes follow a progressive curriculum that reinforces both technique and terminology in a supportive, adult-focused environment.

FAQ: Ballet Terminology for Adult Beginners

Why is ballet terminology in French?

Ballet terms are in French because the art form was codified in 17th century France under King Louis XIV. The Académie Royale de Danse, established in 1661, standardized movements and their names in French, forging a universal language. Since then, that vocabulary has become the international standard, used uniformly by ballet schools and companies around the world.

Do I need to memorise ballet terms before joining an adult beginner ballet class?

No prior memorising is necessary. Most adult beginner ballet classes introduce the terminology slowly, in the context of the lesson. But if you know the basic terms – plié, relevé and tendu, for example – you’ll be able to pick up instructions more quickly and feel more confident during your first few sessions. A quick read through a glossary like this is very helpful preparation.

What is the difference between a demi-plié and a grand plié?

A demi-plié is a half bend of the knees, with the heels remaining on the floor and the knees tracking over the toes. A grand plié is a full bend where the body lowers as far as possible. The heels lift briefly in most positions (except for second). All grand pliés begin and end with a demi-plié in between.

What does “turnout” mean and is it safe for adults?

Turnout is the rotation of the legs outward from the hip socket . This creates the characteristic V-shaped foot position in ballet . Adults are safely turned out from hip flexibility, not forcing the knees or ankles outwards. It is safe and effective to work on improving gradually over time within your natural range of turnout.

What is the difference between adagio and allegro in a ballet class?

Adagio: The slow, sustained section of class, typically centre exercises focusing on balance, extension and smooth transitions. Allegro is the fast section, it is split into petit allegro (small quick jumps) and grand allegro (large travelling jumps). Most adult beginner ballet classes work more with adagio until strength and coordination is developed enough to safely support allegro.