What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
ballerine
Example
She dreams of becoming a ballerine and performing on stage. [ballerine: noun]
Example
The ballerine gracefully executed the difficult pirouette. [ballerine: noun]
danseuse
Example
The danseuse captivated the audience with her contemporary dance routine. [danseuse: noun]
Example
She trained as a danseuse and can perform ballet, jazz, and hip-hop. [danseuse: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Danseuse is more commonly used than ballerine in everyday language. Danseuse is a broader term that can be applied to any female dancer, while ballerine is more specific to ballet dancers.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between ballerine and danseuse?
While ballerine has a more formal and specific connotation, danseuse is more versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.