chassé

American  

[sha-sey, sa-shey] / ʃæˈseɪ, sæˈʃeɪ /

noun

1. a gliding step in which one foot is kept in advance of the other.

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verb (used without object)

chasséd, chasséing

1. to execute a chassé.

chassé British  

/ ˈʃæseɪ /

noun

1. one of a series of gliding steps in ballet in which the same foot always leads

2. three consecutive dance steps, two fast and one slow, to four beats of music

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verb

1. (intr) to perform either of these steps

Etymology

Origin of chassé

1795–1805; < French: literally, chased, followed, past participle of chasser to chase ¹

Explanation

A chasse is a ballet step in which one foot follows the other as the dancer glides across the floor. You can think of a chasse as a very graceful gallop. In French, chassé means "chased." The ballet move got this name from the way one foot "chases" the other. The chasse, in which the dancer's legs bend as their second foot slides across the floor to meet the first one, is also performed by ballroom dancers, line dancers, ice dancers, and even roller skaters. It's also a verb, so feel free to chasse over to the fridge to grab a snack!

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

chassé chasséd chasséing

Maybe this emphasis on queerness doesn’t work in every scene, but any interpretation that allows the choreographer Jack Ferver to chassé while wearing a disco ball cannot be dismissed.

From New York Times ● Jul. 15, 2018

During the 90-minute class, instructor Jessica Jaye Mackinson taught us to chassé, sauté, ronde de jambe and grand battement, a fancy French word for a three-sided kick.

From Washington Post ● Nov. 8, 2017

But I can’t help feeling that something important had been sacrificed in the process; that this isn’t necessarily a giant leap forward, but a kind of chassé to the side.

From New York Times ● Jan. 20, 2016

This time I mean those tough, growly guys who wouldn’t know a chassé step unless it kicked ’em right in the kisser.

From New York Times ● Jan. 31, 2013

Finally, after the spectators for some time in doubt as to their intentions, they came down the length of the room with what Monsieur called a chassé step, and curtsied gracefully hand in hand.

From Penelope and the Others Story of Five Country Children by Brooke, L. Leslie (Leonard Leslie)

The school became a haven for dancers of all backgrounds wanting to learn from the multifaceted performer, who chasséd into the Hollywood scene with her career-defining performance as Lydia Grant in the 1980 musical “Fame.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 6, 2025

Tulsa cornerback Reggie Ellis recovered the fumble and chasséd out of a Jack Westover tackle attempt.

From Seattle Times ● Sep. 11, 2023

Once, a bus full of sightseers burst into applause after Elaine twirled and chasséd in a frock made by her mother.

From New York Times ● Feb. 5, 2021

Lady Constance flew to her feet and chasséd giddily around the room like a tipsy ballerina.

From "The Hidden Gallery" by Maryrose Wood

They chasséd into corners, and displayed a whirlwind of delicately pointed toes; they retired as if to quarrel; they floated back to make it up again.

From Melody : the Story of a Child by Richards, Laura Elizabeth Howe

The ballroom dance competition will premiere this fall and will return to the broadcast network after chasséing over to sister streamer Disney+ for one season.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 7, 2023

And then there’s the lovely, loony sight of Russell Crowe, gamely chasséing in a golden breastplate and white tutu as the Greek god Zeus.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 5, 2022

There was a gay little ball one evening with Highnesses and Serenities dancing and whirling and chasséing, and a "grande chaine" of half of the sovereigns of Europe—all looking very much like other people.

From Queen Victoria, her girlhood and womanhood by Greenwood, Grace