pirouette

noun

pir·​ou·​ette ˌpir-ə-ˈwet 

: a rapid whirling about of the body

especially : a full turn on the toe or ball of one foot in ballet

pirouette intransitive verb

Synonyms

• gyration
• reel
• revolution
• roll
• rotation
• spin
• twirl
• wheel
• whirl

Examples of pirouette in a Sentence

the elegant pirouettes of the prima ballerina

the ballerina's perfectly executed pirouette

Recent Examples on the Web

Josh Gad was all about pirouettes and strict criticism this Halloween. —Michelle Lee, People.com, 1 Nov. 2024

So long, days of getting tripped up on your dog's leash and having to do clumsy pirouettes. —New Atlas, 3 Oct. 2024

Metcalf’s pirouette at the end of a 29-yard catch from Geno Smith gave the Seahawks first-and-goal inside the 1-yard line. —Andrew Greif, NBC News, 1 Oct. 2024

Biles did not advance to the bars final, so the team competition and the all-around final are her only remaining chances to unveil that skill — a front circling element with a 1½ pirouette — at these Games. —Emily Giambalvo, Washington Post, 29 July 2024

Word History

Etymology

French, literally, teetotum

First Known Use

1706, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

pirouette

noun

pir·​ou·​ette ˌpir-ə-ˈwet 

: a rapid whirling of the body

especially : a full turn on the toe or ball of one foot in ballet

pirouette verb