A "pointe shoe" is a shoe that allows a dancer to stand directly on his or her toe, to create a light silhouette and perform various maneuvers. These are necessities in ballet, which desires its dancers to move seemingly effortlessly and beautifully. The "pointe shoe" and dancing "on pointe" is one of the features that distinguish ballet from other styles of dance.

Alignment describes harmonious, unbroken lines with arms and legs. Arabesque refers to standing on one leg and extending the other leg and both arms away from the body. A pas de deux involves dance sequences with two dancers. Spiral refers to a twisting movement, but does not mean that is it done on one leg; it is also not a French term.