corps de ballet

American  

[kawr duh ba-ley, bal-ey, kawr duh ba-le] / ˌkɔr də bæˈleɪ, ˈbæl eɪ, kɔr də baˈlɛ /

noun

1. the dancers in a ballet company who perform as a group and have no solo parts.

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corps de ballet British  

/ ˈkɔː də ˈbæleɪ, kɔr də balɛ /

noun

1. the members of a ballet company who dance together in a group

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Etymology

Origin of corps de ballet

From French, dating back to 1820–30; see origin at corps, ballet

Example Sentences

Among them was Dillon, Pointeworks’ marketing coordinator and a corps de ballet member at Texas Ballet Theater.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 19, 2025

Shklyarov knew he thrived as a solo dancer, noting in interviews that he had struggled to adjust and follow lines in corps de ballet roles.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 18, 2024

One of the many wonderful aspects of “Secret Things” is how its eight dancers, mostly from the corps de ballet, emerge as distinctive personalities without being presentational.

From New York Times • Feb. 5, 2023

Although the corps de ballet will be together only for one night’s performance, Parish already has plans for them to do more.

From Reuters • Nov. 12, 2022

They leaped over the swells with the grace of a corps de ballet and plunged into the depths once more.

From "The Long-Lost Home" by Maryrose Wood