choreograph

American  

[kawr-ee-uh-graf, -grahf, kohr-] / ˈkɔr i əˌgræf, -ˌgrɑf, ˈkoʊr- /

verb (used with object)

• choreographs,
  present (3rd person singular)
• choreographed,
  past participle,  past
• choreographing
  present participle

1. to provide the choreography for.

   to choreograph a musical comedy.

2. to manage, maneuver, or direct.

   The author is a genius at choreographing a large cast of characters.

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verb (used without object)

• choreographs,
  present (3rd person singular)
• choreographed,
  past participle,  past
• choreographing
  present participle

1. to work as a choreographer.

choreograph British  

/ ˈkɒrɪəˌɡræf /

verb

1. (tr) to compose the steps and dances for (a piece of music or ballet)

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• rechoreograph
  verb (used with object)
• unchoreographed
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Participles

• choreographing
  present
• choreographed
  past

Conjugated Forms

Present

• choreograph
  simple
• choreographs
  simple
• have choreographed
  perfect
• has choreographed
  perfect
• am choreographing
  progressive
• are choreographing
  progressive
• is choreographing
  progressive
• have been choreographing
  perfect progressive
• has been choreographing
  perfect progressive

Past

• choreographed
  simple
• had choreographed
  perfect
• was choreographing
  progressive
• were choreographing
  progressive
• had been choreographing
  perfect progressive

Future

• will choreograph
  simple
• will have choreographed
  perfect
• will be choreographing
  progressive
• will have been choreographing
  perfect progressive

Etymology

Origin of choreograph

First recorded in 1875–80; back formation from choreography

Explanation

To choreograph is to make a dance, designing each move for a dancer to perform. Some dancers choreograph their own dances, although usually a choreographer does it. A dance, whether ballet or bhangra, is made up of a sequence of movements and steps — when you plan those movements, you choreograph. You might also choreograph other kinds of routines, like figure skating, cheerleading, or a marching band performance. You can even use the word to describe planning things that don't involve physical movement: "My managers are control freaks, they'll probably choreograph the whole meeting." The Greek roots are khoreia, "dance," and graphein, "to write."

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

choreograph choreographs choreographed choreographing

How will Team Burnham choreograph the moment where he walks up to the lectern to address the country?

From BBC ● Jul. 4, 2026

Constance Carpenter, the female lead, chose Bradley to choreograph her numbers.

From The Wall Street Journal ● May 20, 2026

But for Beijing, which likes to carefully choreograph such events to avoid any possibility of embarrassment, Trump's free-wheeling style is proving a challenge.

From Barron's ● Mar. 14, 2026

“I remember I had sent in videos to choreograph for “Mascara” and “Tippy Toes,” which were the first two songs I think they were planning on coming out with.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jan. 22, 2026

Unfortunately, this theory would also retroactively outlaw choreograph, diagnose, resurrect, edit, sculpt, sleepwalk, and hundreds of other verbs that have become completely unexceptionable.

From "The Sense of Style" by Steven Pinker

As David Myers, an influencer who choreographs dances to faith-based songs, put it: “We’re on fire for God again.”

From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 9, 2025

But this film choreographs every person in the room with their own agenda, personality and character.

From Salon ● Oct. 1, 2024

He carefully choreographs the physical aspects of his sets.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 18, 2023

Compared to the superhuman performers of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, for whom Harris often choreographs, these dancers look more ordinary: less polished and precise in position, if always rhythmically accurate.

From New York Times ● Jul. 14, 2023

“I love choreography as a second talent for me, but I don’t see myself being an artistic director who choreographs a lot,” he said.

From Seattle Times ● May 29, 2023

Carrick's United instead look to escape pressure through trios of players passing the ball between each other in a less choreographed manner.

From BBC ● Aug. 19, 2026

It's a style that has captivated Chinese audiences and stands in contrast with the current carefully choreographed leadership style.

From BBC ● Aug. 18, 2026

For “Wicked: One Wonderful Night,” choreographer Christopher Scott, who also choreographed the films, had to once again reimagine the world of Oz.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 17, 2026

Kelly continued to promote classical dancing in popular culture, producing a television special, “Dancing: A Man’s Game,” in 1958; he choreographed “Pas de Dieux” for the Paris Opera Ballet in 1960.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 7, 2026

For the opening ceremonies’ “Parade of Champions,” Kyle, Akimi, Miguel, and Sierra had choreographed the footwork to play a burp-squeak version of “Hang On Sloopy,” Ohio’s official rock song.

From "Mr. Lemoncello's Library Olympics" by Chris Grabenstein

With all that history, Disney’s board recognized its imperative of choreographing a meticulous transition.

From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 4, 2026

David’s genius as a narrator and propagandist was in choosing the most emotionally charged episode in a story and choreographing it to contrast the responses of the protagonists.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Dec. 29, 2025

Former Olympic figure skater Christopher Dean, who was involved in choreographing the showcase routines of all three finalists, told Aston that "tonight, everything came together".

From BBC ● Mar. 9, 2025

“A lot of the show is really about the catharsis of opening up to the community around oneself,” Peck, who is directing and choreographing the show, said in an interview.

From New York Times ● Mar. 19, 2024

We spent the rest of the morning choreographing steps around fire hydrants and mailboxes.

From "Native Speaker" by Chang-rae Lee