character dance: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Low-FrequencyTechnical/Artistic
Quick answer
What does “character dance” mean?
A type of theatrical dance representing a specific national, folk, or stylized character, often seen in classical ballet productions like "Swan Lake" or "The Nutcracker.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A type of theatrical dance representing a specific national, folk, or stylized character, often seen in classical ballet productions like "Swan Lake" or "The Nutcracker."
Any dance in performance or competition where the dancer portrays a distinct, often stereotyped, character (e.g., a sailor, a clown, a witch) through specific movement and costume, not necessarily tied to ballet.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning. The term is standard in both international ballet and dance competition vocabularies.
Connotations
In both varieties, it carries connotations of theatricality, specific tradition (especially in ballet), and sometimes lighthearted or comic performance.
Frequency
Equally low-frequency in both regions, confined to dance contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “character dance” in a Sentence
The ballet includes a [nationality] character dance.She excelled in the character dance section.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “character dance” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The character-dance section was her favourite part of the exam.
- He wore a character-dance costume for the Russian trepak.
American English
- She specialized in character dance roles.
- The competition had a strong character dance category.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Academic
Used in dance history and performance studies to categorize a genre of theatrical dance.
Everyday
Rarely used outside of conversations about dance, theatre, or specific performances.
Technical
Core term in ballet terminology and ballroom/dance competition categories (e.g., 'Character' as a section in a dance competition).
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “character dance”
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “character dance”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “character dance”
- Using it to refer to any dance that has personality (too broad).
- Confusing it with 'contemporary dance' or 'modern dance'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Not exactly. A character dance in ballet is a theatricalised, stylised representation of a folk dance, adapted for the stage and narrative context.
Yes, in ballroom competition contexts, 'Character' or 'Character Dance' can refer to stylised performances based on specific themes or characters, though it's less common than in ballet.
Yes, dances portraying specific characters like the doll Coppélia or the jester Frantz are classic examples of character dance within a ballet.
Often yes. In ballet, women frequently wear character shoes (a low-heeled, strapped shoe) or boots, and men wear boots or soft shoes, depending on the role.
A type of theatrical dance representing a specific national, folk, or stylized character, often seen in classical ballet productions like "Swan Lake" or "The Nutcracker.
Character dance is usually technical/artistic in register.
Character dance: in British English it is pronounced /ˈkærəktə dɑːns/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈkærɪktər dæns/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a CHARACTER in a play who performs a DANCE that defines their role, like the Spanish dance in 'Swan Lake'.
Conceptual Metaphor
DANCE IS STORYTELLING; MOVEMENT IS PERSONIFICATION.
Practice
Quiz
Where would you most likely encounter a 'character dance'?