ballet flat

noun

plural ballet flats
1
: a slip-on shoe having a very low flat heel or no heel and resembling a ballet slipper
Ballet flats are elegant and minimalist, but that doesn't mean they're boring. A classic leather ballet flat is a must-have component of any capsule wardrobe …—Morgan Halberg
2
: ballet slipper sense 1
Downstairs, in the young women's class, the only break that students have is for changing from ballet flats into toe shoes before taking up positions at the bar.—Ann Geracimos

Examples of ballet flat in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Searches for ballet flats rose 751 percent, while searches for thong sandals increased about 487 percent. — Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 14 Oct. 2026 Celebrity partnerships, a TikTok shop integration and new styles such as ballet flats are fueling rapid demand for Crocs among Gen Z consumers, especially in key global markets like China. — Justin Zacks, CNBC, 13 Oct. 2026 For more of our favorite comfy fall flats, check out Amazon’s best ballet flats, loafers, Mary Janes, dress flats, and more below. — Caley Sturgill, Southern Living, 29 Sep. 2026 Classic straight-leg jeans + two-tone ballet flats Straight-leg jeans are a forever favorite for a reason. — René Chávez Esparza, Glamour, 29 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for ballet flat

Word History

First Known Use

1936, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of ballet flat was in 1936

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Cite this Entry

“Ballet flat.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ballet%20flat. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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