cotillion: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Low (C2)Formal, Literary, Historical
Quick answer
What does “cotillion” mean?
A formal, elaborate ball or dance, particularly one at which young ladies are formally presented to society.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A formal, elaborate ball or dance, particularly one at which young ladies are formally presented to society.
1. The specific, complex group dance, often with intricate steps and figures, performed at such events. 2. An elaborate, highly involved process or activity, especially one with many rules or formalities (metaphorical).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In the UK, the term is less common and primarily used in historical or literary contexts. In the US, it retains more cultural presence, especially in the Southern and Northeastern states, where debutante 'cotillions' are still occasionally held as part of social traditions.
Connotations
Both varieties share connotations of aristocracy, formality, and tradition. The US usage can have a stronger connotation of regional (Southern) social custom and coming-of-age rituals.
Frequency
More frequent in American English, though still a low-frequency word in both varieties.
Grammar
How to Use “cotillion” in a Sentence
[Verb] + cotillion (e.g., host, attend, open)cotillion + [Prepositional Phrase] (e.g., for debutantes, of 1890)Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rarely used. Could appear metaphorically: 'The merger negotiation was a complex financial cotillion.'
Academic
Used in historical, sociological, or cultural studies texts discussing 18th/19th-century social rituals.
Everyday
Virtually never used in casual conversation.
Technical
In historical dance, refers to a specific type of contredanse or quadrille.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “cotillion”
- Misspelling: 'cotilion', 'cottilion'. Incorrect part-of-speech use (e.g., using as a verb). Confusing with 'cotillion' as a type of 18th-century dance vs. the event itself.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is largely anachronistic. While some communities, particularly in the American South, may hold debutante cotillions, it is not a common feature of modern social life and is primarily encountered in historical contexts.
A cotillion is a specific type of ball, often one that marks the formal debut of young women into society and features a specific, intricate group dance of the same name. All cotillions are balls, but not all balls are cotillions.
No, 'cotillion' is exclusively a noun in standard modern English. Historical or jocular verb use ('to cotillion') is extremely rare and non-standard.
It demonstrates the ability to understand low-frequency, register-specific vocabulary essential for reading classic literature and historical texts. Its metaphorical extension also showcases nuanced, abstract usage.
A formal, elaborate ball or dance, particularly one at which young ladies are formally presented to society.
Cotillion is usually formal, literary, historical in register.
Cotillion: in British English it is pronounced /kəˈtɪl.i.ən/, and in American English it is pronounced /koʊˈtɪl.jən/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[None directly associated; metaphorical use serves a similar function]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a COT (a small bed) filled with a million (sounds like '-illion') fancy dresses for a grand ball. The 'cotillion' requires a million preparations.
Conceptual Metaphor
A COMPLEX ACTIVITY IS AN ELABORATE DANCE (e.g., 'the political cotillion of securing votes').
Practice
Quiz
In its modern metaphorical sense, 'cotillion' best describes: