grand jete: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowTechnical/Formal
Quick answer
What does “grand jete” mean?
A ballet leap in which the dancer springs from one leg to land on the other, with the working leg thrown high to the front, side, or back, creating a split in the air.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A ballet leap in which the dancer springs from one leg to land on the other, with the working leg thrown high to the front, side, or back, creating a split in the air.
In broader usage, it can refer to any large, impressive leap or jump, often used metaphorically to describe a significant, bold move or transition.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. Both regions use the French term within ballet terminology.
Connotations
Connotes high skill, grace, and classical training in dance.
Frequency
Equally low frequency in both dialects, confined to dance contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “grand jete” in a Sentence
[Dancer] performed a grand jeté [across the stage].The choreography features a sequence of grand jetés [towards the audience].Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “grand jete” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The dancer will grand-jeté in the finale.
- She grand-jetéd with remarkable height.
American English
- The dancer will grand jeté in the finale.
- She grand jetéd with incredible extension.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rarely used; possible metaphorical use for a bold strategic move.
Academic
Used in dance history, criticism, and performance studies.
Everyday
Virtually never used in everyday conversation outside of dance enthusiasts.
Technical
Core technical term in ballet pedagogy and choreography.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “grand jete”
- Misspelling as 'grand jette' or 'grand jetee'.
- Mispronouncing 'jeté' with a hard English 'J' (/dʒ/) instead of the French 'zh' (/ʒ/).
- Using it as a verb (e.g., 'She grand jetéd').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is a loanword from French, fully integrated into English, specifically within the lexicon of dance.
While technically used as a noun, it is sometimes used informally as a verb in dance contexts (e.g., 'She grand jetéd across the stage'), but this is non-standard.
A grand jeté is a travelling leap from one foot to the other, while a sauté is a jump from two feet landing on two feet.
It is often italicized as a foreign term, but in specialized dance texts, it may appear in regular font as it is a standard technical term.
A ballet leap in which the dancer springs from one leg to land on the other, with the working leg thrown high to the front, side, or back, creating a split in the air.
Grand jete is usually technical/formal in register.
Grand jete: in British English it is pronounced /ˌɡrɒ̃ ˈʒeteɪ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌɡrɑːn ʒəˈteɪ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[Metaphorical] The company's expansion into Asia was a grand jeté into new markets.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a GRAND (large) JET (like a jet plane taking off) – a large, soaring take-off into a leap.
Conceptual Metaphor
AMBITION IS A LEAP; A BOLD TRANSITION IS A DANCE MOVE.
Practice
Quiz
In which field is the term 'grand jeté' primarily used?