# pointe

/ˈpɔɪnt/ (US) · CEFR C2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/pointe
Updated: 2026-05-11

## Definition

the tip of the toes in ballet. It also refers to the special shoes dancers wear to stand on their toes.

For teachers: the tip of the toes in classical ballet. Refers to the technique of dancing on the extreme tips of the toes or the reinforced shoes designed for this purpose.

## Examples

- She practiced dancing on pointe for hours.
- After years of training, the young dancer finally received her first pair of pointe shoes.
- The choreography requires the lead soloist to maintain perfect balance while on pointe, executing a series of rapid turns that showcase her technical precision and strength.

## Usage notes

- Commonly used in the prepositional phrase 'on pointe' to describe the technique.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.