danseuse

Everyday

1. (ballet, from French) A female ballet dancer; «première danseuse» means a leading female dancer. tree →
2. (French) In French, «danseuse» simply means «dancer» (a woman who dances); English uses it mainly in ballet. tree →

In the lessons

It is a ballet word, used mainly in old-fashioned or formal writing; today English speakers usually say «ballerina» or «dancer». In arts lessons pupils meet ballet's French words. Phrases: «première danseuse», «a danseuse of the Paris Opera».

Examples

• The danseuse spun on the tips of her toes. tree →
• She was the première danseuse of the company. tree →
• In French, a danseuse is a woman who dances. tree →
• The danseuse wore a white tutu in «Swan Lake». tree →
• The old poster showed a danseuse in mid-leap. tree →

Note

Said «dahn-SURZ». A French word used in English; the male form is «danseur». «Ballerina» (from Italian) is the more common English word, and strictly means a principal female dancer. Avoid «danseuse» in everyday talk; it sounds old-fashioned.