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pirouette

pirouette

9 8.2
A quick turn on one foot as in ballet
  • noun
  • /ˌpɪrəˈwɛt/
translation icon : pirueta
  • He was so proud when he completed his first successful pirouette in dance class.
  • a graceful pirouette
  • a perfect pirouette
  • a double pirouette

Squats, planks, push ups, pirouettes, right?

Examples

  • But in the dance world, there's always one more pirouette to come.

    Fiction book (1992)
  • The young dancer impressed the audience with her graceful pirouette on stage.

  • Why do you think I wanted you to teach me that pirouette?

  • Ladies and gentlemen... I shall now perform a double pirouette.

  • For a minute, I think she's going to do a pirouette.

    Fiction book (2001)
  • I'm gonna do five pirouettes all on my own.

  • Jada whirled again, up on her toes into a graceful pirouette.

    Fiction book (1993)
  • Vanessa spun in a pirouette, leaped in grand jetés, and held a long, beautiful pose in arabesque.

    Fiction book (1997)
  • After weeks of practice, she finally executed a flawless pirouette during her ballet recital.

Synonyms

twirl
vspirouette
15 2.7

A quick spin or turn

is a specific spin performed on one foot often in ballet

How Fast

whirl
12 3.7
pirouette
9 8.2
spin
104 1.1
twirl
15 2.7

Surface Forms

pirouette singular
pirouettes plural

Etymology

Pirouette comes from French, where it once meant a small spin and the ending -ette means 'little'. So a pirouette is literally a 'little spin', which fits the quick turning move dancers make on one foot.