plié

[plee-ey]

noun

Ballet.

plural

pliés 

1. a movement in which the knees are bent while the back is held straight.

plié

/ ˈpliːeɪ /

noun

1. a classic ballet practice posture with back erect and knees bent

Word History and Origins

Origin of plié¹

1890–95; < French, noun use of past participle of plier to bend; ply ²

Word History and Origins

Origin of plié¹

French: bent, from plier to bend

Example Sentences

When a dancer attempts to lay an egg, it is called a grand plié.

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"You're supposed to do a plié."

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When the lyrics announce, “Get out the way,” Boss, in a deep plié, sweeps an arm in front of his body, grabs Wong’s hand and sweeps him to the floor.

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“Contact Fours” feels like summer: Crim, sinking in a juicy plié, holds his long arms to either side and winds them in tight circles like a surfer without a wave.

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Quanbeck: “Sweet Dreams” is hard because you’ve already done so much of the number by that point, and then you’re in a low, deep plié for that whole sequence.

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