Knowing proper terminology is a key principle of my teaching philosophy. I’ve put together a solid list of terms that students should be familiar with by the end of the year.

At this age, dancers are expected to be able to memorize terminology with enough repetition, practice, and explanation.

Here is a list of ballet terms and their definitions for teachers to use in intermediate classes:

Ballet Term =	Definition
A la seconde =	to the side / to second position
Adagio	slow
Allegro =	Jumps
Arabesque =	body position in which the weight of the body is supported on one leg, while the other leg is extended in back with the knee straight.
Assemble =	to assemble the legs together (in the air)
Balances =	to rock or sway
Battements =
Chaine =	chains
Changement =	to change
Chasse =	to chase
Develope =
Degage =	to disengage
Demi =	half
Develope =	to develop the leg
Eleve =	to elevate/raise (from straight legs)
En croix	in the shape of a cross
Eschappe	to escape
Fondu	to melt
Glissade =	to glide
Grand plies =	a full knee bend
Jete =	to brush
Pas de bourree =	beating steps (back, side, front)
Pas de Chat	step of the chat
Petit =	small
Pirouette en Dehors =	Outside turn with the working leg in retire
Pique =	to prick
Pique turns =	turning onto a straight leg, with working leg in posse
Plie	To bend
Port de bras =	Carriage / movement of the arms
Posse =	to pass (through retire)
Releve =	to rise (from a plie)
Reverence =	Curtesy or bow at the end of class
Rond de Jambe =	round of the leg
Rond de jambe en l’air=	round of the leg, with the working leg lifted off the ground
Saute =	to jump/spring from 2 legs
Tendu =	to stretch
Tomber	to fall
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