bal

ball, dance

noun BAHL Less Common

Origin: Latin ballare (to dance)

Usage Note

Bal refers to a formal or traditional dance event — le bal du 14 juillet is the traditional open-air street dance held on Bastille Day and is a beloved French cultural institution. The plural is bals. It is more old-fashioned or folkloric than soirée dansante for a modern dance party.

Examples

"Le bal du village commence à vingt heures."

Natural Translation

The village dance begins at eight o'clock.

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