choreography

[ kawr-ee-og-ruh-fee, kohr- ]

noun

1. the art of composing ballets and other dances and planning and arranging the movements, steps, and patterns of dancers.
2. the technique of representing the various movements in dancing by a system of notation.
3. the arrangement or manipulation of actions leading up to an event:

   the choreography of a surprise birthday party.

choreography

/ ˌkɒrɪəˈɡræfɪk; ˌkɒrɪˈɒɡrəfɪ; kɒˈrɛɡrəfɪ; ˌkɒrəˈɡræfɪk /

noun

1. the composition of dance steps and sequences for ballet and stage dancing
2. the steps and sequences of a ballet or dance
3. the notation representing such steps
4. the art of dancing

choreography

1. The art of arranging dance movements for performance.

Derived Forms

• ˌchoreˈographer, noun
• ˌchoreoˈgraphically, adverb
• choreographic, adjective

Other Words From

• cho·re·o·graph·ic [kawr-ee-, uh, -, graf, -ik, kohr-], adjective
• chore·o·graphi·cal·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of choreography¹

1780–90; < Greek chore- (stem of choreía chorea ) + -o- + -graphy

Word History and Origins

Origin of choreography¹

C18: from Greek khoreia dance + -graphy

Example Sentences

He’s most widely known for his experimental choreography, and the exhibition’s curators are smart to start off with this rousing, engulfing example of it.

From New York Times

Highlighting the star's intricate choreography, the Independent, awarded four stars, saying "melancholy, oddly intimate" performance "frequently leaves you breathless."

From BBC

Much of the choreography was figured out on set, often in a real salt mine.

From Los Angeles Times

“They collapse suddenly and then inflate and collapse suddenly — that was kind of the basis of the choreography,” Oppenheimer recalls.

From Los Angeles Times

“It’s a simple game mechanism — people just trying to find patterns together — but the visuals of it, with things on your head and lights changing colors, it does it all. It creates a connection. It creates laughter. You can think about mathematics and patterns. This, to me, is improvisational choreography.”

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• dance