See also: Learning Center >>

Dance terms - ballroom and Latin dances

In this dictionary you will find dance terms used on this site and in the ballroom and Latin dance communities. Terms are sorted alphabetically, making this a handy reference for beginning and advanced dancers alike. Common Abbreviations are listed in their own section.

A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M
N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z

Common Abbreviations
 
 

I

inside turn – the lady turns to her left under the man's left hand, or she turns to her right under the man's right hand.

International Style - The Internationally recognized style of ballroom dancing. For the five "standard dances," the couples must remain in closed dance position throughout the dances. The 10 International Style dances are divided into two categories: 1) standard, consisting of waltz, tango, Viennese waltz, slow foxtrot, and quickstep and 2) Latin, consisting of cha cha, samba, rumba, paso doble, and jive.

isolation - Movement of one part of the body independently of the rest.

<< Back to top