barre
barre Lexical Profile
barre Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A stationary horizontal handrail fixed along a wall at waist height, used by ballet dancers to maintain balance during warm-up and technique exercises.
"The dancers began their morning class with a series of slow warm-up exercises at the barre."
A physical fitness workout method that combines elements of ballet, Pilates, and yoga using a stationary handrail for support.
"She signed up for a thrice-weekly barre class to improve her core strength and posture."
A technique in playing the guitar or another fretted string instrument in which a single finger of the fretting hand is laid flat across multiple strings at the same fret, or a chord played in this manner.
"Learning to transition smoothly into an F major barre takes considerable finger strength for a beginner guitarist."
• verb
To press multiple strings across a single fret on a guitar or other fretted instrument using one finger laid flat.
"Use your index finger to barre the fifth fret while your ring finger presses the fourth string."
Word Nuance & Usage
Do not confuse 'barre' with its homophone 'bar'; 'barre' is restricted to the horizontal handrail used in ballet and fitness or the guitar chord technique.
• Rhymes for barre
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed from French 'barre', meaning 'bar' or 'rail', from Vulgar Latin '*barra'.