danseur

Everyday

1. (ballet, from French) A male ballet dancer; «premier danseur» means a leading male dancer in a ballet company. tree →
2. (French) In French, «danseur» simply means «dancer» (a man who dances); English uses it only in ballet. tree →

In the lessons

It is a ballet word. In arts and music lessons, children learn that ballet's words come from French (plié, pirouette, pas de deux). A danseur partners the ballerina, lifting and supporting her and dancing solos with big jumps. Phrases: «premier danseur», «danseur noble» (a dancer of princely, classical roles).

Examples

• The danseur lifted the ballerina high above his head. tree →
• He became a premier danseur at the Royal Ballet. tree →
• The danseur leapt across the stage. tree →
• In French, a danseur is just a male dancer. tree →
• Our ballet teacher showed us a famous danseur on video. tree →

Note

Said «dahn-SUR» (the n is soft, from the nose). It is a French word used in English ballet talk; in ordinary English just say «dancer» or «ballet dancer». The female form is «danseuse». Many people wrongly think ballet is only for girls; boys and men dance it too.