danseur noble

[ French dahn-sœr naw-bluh ]

noun

, plural dan·seurs no·bles [dah, n, -s, œ, r, , naw, -bl, uh].

1. a male dancer who is the partner of a ballerina, as in a pas de deux.

Word History and Origins

Origin of danseur noble¹

1940–45; < French; literally, noble dancer

Example Sentences

“This company has such potential,” said Krcmar, the company’s lead danseur noble.

From New York Times

D’Amboise embodied the ideal of an all-American style that combined the nonchalant elegance of Fred Astaire with the classicism of the danseur noble.

From Seattle Times

Ms. Baulac is blond and sweet-faced, with a glorious sweeping line and buoyant jump; the dark-haired Mr. Louvet is a danseur noble type, tall and elegant with a lovely refinement to his dancing.

From New York Times

Mr. Parish is tall and handsome with a perfectly proportioned, danseur noble physique, a lovely line and a soaring jump.

From New York Times

Perhaps he could pass a few of his secrets to Berlanga, who is a potential danseur noble with everything going for him except a convincing demi-plié.

From The Guardian