plie: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1/C2Specialized/Technical (Dance)
Quick answer
What does “plie” mean?
A fundamental bending movement of the knees in ballet and other dance forms, where the dancer lowers the body while keeping the back straight and heels on the floor (or off, in a grand plie).
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A fundamental bending movement of the knees in ballet and other dance forms, where the dancer lowers the body while keeping the back straight and heels on the floor (or off, in a grand plie).
Beyond its strict ballet definition, it may refer more loosely to any bending or folding movement, especially in exercise or gymnastics, and metaphorically to a yielding or submissive posture.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in core meaning or usage within the dance domain. Spelling remains 'plie' in both. Pronunciation may show slight variation (see IPA).
Connotations
Identical connotations of technical precision, dance training, and French cultural heritage.
Frequency
Used with identical frequency in the ballet communities of both regions. Extremely rare outside of dance or related fitness contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “plie” in a Sentence
do/make/execute a plieperform a plie in [position]rise from a pliebend into a plieVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “plie” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The instructor told us to plie deeply before the jump.
American English
- Remember to plie before you leap to protect your knees.
adverb
British English
- Not used as an adverb.
American English
- Not used as an adverb.
adjective
British English
- Not used as an adjective.
American English
- Not used as an adjective.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used in academic papers on dance history, kinesiology, or performance studies.
Everyday
Rare; only used by those with dance training or in fitness classes like barre.
Technical
Core technical term in ballet, contemporary dance, and choreography manuals.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “plie”
- Using it as a general English verb (e.g., 'He plied the wood' is incorrect; that would be 'bent').
- Pronouncing it as /plaɪ/ (like 'ply').
- Spelling it as 'plye' or 'pley'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is a loanword from French that is fully naturalized in the specific domain of dance terminology in English. It is not part of general, everyday vocabulary.
Commonly /pliˈeɪ/ in American English and /ˈpliːeɪ/ in British English. The final syllable is pronounced like 'ay'.
A demi-plie is a half bend of the knees where the heels remain on the floor. A grand plie is a full, deep bend where, in most positions, the heels lift off the floor at the lowest point.
It would be considered highly affected or jargonistic. In most other contexts, use words like 'bend', 'squat', or 'knee bend' instead.
A fundamental bending movement of the knees in ballet and other dance forms, where the dancer lowers the body while keeping the back straight and heels on the floor (or off, in a grand plie).
Plie is usually specialized/technical (dance) in register.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Not applicable for this technical term.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'Please (plie) bend your knees!' – a teacher's common instruction.
Conceptual Metaphor
FOUNDATION (the plie is the foundation of all jumps and turns); YIELDING (bending to prepare for power, like a spring coiling).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the word 'plie' MOST appropriately used?