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Dance Moves and Techniques

HomeVocabularyTopicalPerforming ArtsDance Moves and Techniques

34 Words

17m

1.
ball change
Noun

a dance step in jazz, tap, and hip hop where the dancer shifts weight from one foot's ball to the other, often with a change in direction or rhythm

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2.
box step
Noun

a basic partner dance step in foxtrot, waltz, and salsa, characterized by a square or rectangular pattern consisting of side, back, side, and forward steps

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3.
closed position
Noun

a dance stance in partner dancing where the dancers maintain physical contact and dance facing each other, typically used in ballroom dance styles such as waltz and foxtrot

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4.
do
si
do
Noun

a basic movement in square dancing where two dancers pass around each other back to back and return to their original positions

As the music played, the dancers seamlessly executed the do-si-do, twirling around each other with grace and precision.

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5.
double reverse spin
Noun

a ballroom dance move with clockwise and counter-clockwise rotations while taking two steps back and two steps forward, used in waltz, foxtrot, and other dances

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6.
feather step
Noun

a ballroom dance move with a forward step, closing step, and side step, used in waltz, foxtrot, and other dances

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floss
7.
floss
Noun

a soft thread for cleaning the spaces between the teeth

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8.
te
le
mark
Noun

a turn made in skiing; the outside ski is placed ahead and turned gradually inwards

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9.
gan
cho
Noun

a leg hooking or wrapping action used in partner dancing, particularly in tango and Latin dances

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grapevine
10.
grape
vine
Noun

any of numerous woody vines of genus Vitis bearing clusters of edible berries

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11.
heel turn
Noun

a dance step that involves pivoting or rotating on the heel, used for changing direction or adding a turning element in dance

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impetus
12.
im
pe
tus
Noun

the force that causes something to move or to keep moving

The strong winds provided the impetus for the sailboat to glide across the water at high speed.

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13.
moon
walk
Noun

an exploratory walk by an astronaut on the surface of the moon

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14.
lock step
Noun

a dance step where the feet cross in front or behind each other in a tightly connected manner

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15.
kick
step
Noun

a dance move commonly used in jazz or hip-hop dance styles where one foot is kicked forward followed by a quick step onto that same foot

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16.
jazz hands
Noun

a dance or theater gesture where hands are spread wide with fingers open and palms facing forward, often associated with jazz or musical theater performances

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accent
17.
ac
cent
Verb

to stress or single out something as important or noteworthy

In the painting, the artist chose vibrant colors to accent the focal point and create visual interest.

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shimmy
18.
shi
mmy
Verb

to dance with lively and vibrant movements, often involving swaying or shaking of the hips or shoulders in a playful or flirtatious manner

The dancers shimmied in unison, creating a mesmerizing display of rhythm and motion.

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promenade
19.
pro
me
nade
Noun

a leisurely walk (usually in some public place)

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20.
forced arch
Noun

when a dancer creates a pronounced arch in the foot by bending the ankle joint while keeping the foot pointed

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21.
body isolation
Noun

a dance technique where specific body parts are moved or controlled independently from the rest, allowing for isolated movements of one part while keeping others still

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frame
22.
frame
Noun

a border that surrounds a picture, mirror, etc.

The antique frame around the painting added a touch of elegance to the artwork.

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23.
pivot turn
Noun

a dance step where one foot stays in place while the other foot rotates or spins, commonly used in ballet, jazz, modern, or ballroom dances

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24.
fan kick
Noun

a sweeping leg extension resembling the opening of a fan, used in ballet, jazz, or contemporary dance for its visual appeal and expressiveness

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25.
twerk
Noun

a dance move characterized by rapid, repeated hip thrusts and shaking of the buttocks

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choreography
26.
cho
reog
ra
phy
Noun

the act of designing and organizing dance movements for a performance

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glide
27.
glide
Verb

to move smoothly and effortlessly through the air or on a surface with little or no propulsion

The eagle glided effortlessly through the sky, riding the thermal currents.

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28.
grand chain
Noun

a dance figure in ballet or folk dances where dancers perform a linked chain of turns or steps in a circular or straight pattern

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29.
keep step
Verb

to maintain a synchronized pace or rhythm, especially while walking, marching, or dancing in a group

The dancers must keep step with the music, ensuring their movements align perfectly with the rhythm.

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phrase
30.
phrase
Noun

a group of words put together in a meaningful way

He wrote down the phrase "carpe diem" in his notebook, as it inspired him.

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shuffle
31.
shu
ffle
Noun

the action of randomly mixing game cards

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32.
Cabbage Patch
Noun

a dance move that gained popularity in the 1980s, characterized by bouncing and twisting movements, often with arms extended and hands making a "C" shape

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33.
dou
gie
Noun

a hip hop dance move characterized by swaying body motions and arm movements, typically performed to hip hop or rap music

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34.
toe dance
Noun

a style of ballet technique in which dancers perform on the tips of their toes using specialized pointe shoes, requiring strength, balance, and precision

The prima ballerina executed flawless toe dances, effortlessly gliding across the stage with ethereal grace and poise.

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