choreography

[ kawr-ee-og-ruh-fee, kohr- ]

noun

1. the art of composing ballets and other dances and planning and arranging the movements, steps, and patterns of dancers.
2. the technique of representing the various movements in dancing by a system of notation.
3. the arrangement or manipulation of actions leading up to an event:

   the choreography of a surprise birthday party.

choreography

/ ˌkɒrɪˈɒɡrəfɪ; ˌkɒrɪəˈɡræfɪk; ˌkɒrəˈɡræfɪk; kɒˈrɛɡrəfɪ /

noun

1. the composition of dance steps and sequences for ballet and stage dancing
2. the steps and sequences of a ballet or dance
3. the notation representing such steps
4. the art of dancing

choreography

1. The art of arranging dance movements for performance.

Derived Forms

• ˌchoreoˈgraphically, adverb
• ˌchoreˈographer, noun
• choreographic, adjective

Other Words From

• cho·re·o·graph·ic [kawr-ee-, uh, -, graf, -ik, kohr-], adjective
• chore·o·graphi·cal·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of choreography¹

1780–90; < Greek chore- (stem of choreía chorea ) + -o- + -graphy

Word History and Origins

Origin of choreography¹

C18: from Greek khoreia dance + -graphy

Example Sentences

One of those sharks seemed to be in its own little watery world, doing its own weird thing that had little-to-nothing to do with the actual planned choreography.

From Washington Post

No choreography, music licensing, famous actors — possibly even no director.

From Washington Post

That original video consisted of relatively easy group choreography set to the song’s catchy hook.

From Vox

To plot out the choreography of this complex dance, two separate groups seized upon a theorem devised by mathematician Leonhard Euler way back in the 18th century.

From Science News

The staging and the careful choreography of the scenes, with fireworks and synchronized dance, enhanced the storytelling.

From Washington Post

Backup dancers materialize, sparking a torrent of eye-catching choreography.

From The Daily Beast

The revival swept in glam costumes, elegant choreography, and cheeky fun, sometimes weaving in social commentary.

From The Daily Beast

Apparently, the sexually suggestive choreography and aggressive twerking was viewed as a threat to the Latin American nation.

From The Daily Beast

OK Go Use Their Illusion Alt-pop band OK Go is no stranger to single-take music videos with impressive choreography.

From The Daily Beast

Sure, her gee-golly choreography is unbearable cute, but watch her eyes.

From The Daily Beast

Fokine created the choreography of L'Oiseau de Feu section by section, as the music was handed to him.

From Project Gutenberg

Besides creating the decorative setting and the beautiful costumes, he inspired the choreography even to the slightest movements.

From Project Gutenberg

The music of that dance, clear and well defined, demanded a corresponding choreography—simple and easy to understand.

From Project Gutenberg

The admirably successful choreography of these three ballets came from Bronislava Nijinska's inexhaustible talent.

From Project Gutenberg

It is hardly surprising in these circumstances that the choreography of Le Baiser de la Fe left me cold.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• dance