ballerina

noun

bal·​le·​ri·​na ˌba-lə-ˈrē-nə How to pronounce ballerina (audio)
: a woman who is a ballet dancer : danseuse

Examples of ballerina in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Black mesh tights, or ballerinas, add unexpected edge. Christina Holevas, Vogue, 12 Apr. 2024 The Only Murders in the Building star looks ridiculously pretty in a ballerina pink coat over a pink floral ensemble, stepping out in New York City. Elizabeth Logan, Glamour, 8 Apr. 2024 Since her career-defining turn in Swan Lake, Copeland has used her status to shine a spotlight on Black women and the diversity in dance, changing the perception of who can be a ballerina. Matt Marshall, CNN, 24 Mar. 2024 Allison is also a remarkable ballerina who has competed in various dance forms since a young age. Marcus Reichley, The Arizona Republic, 4 Mar. 2024 But, Copeland said, as a Black ballerina her casting also stirred mixed emotions. Matt Marshall, CNN, 24 Mar. 2024 Take, for instance, a satin, off-the-shoulder gown cinched with a statement buckle belt, or a very literal take on a ballerina’s tutu featuring a corset and a tiny tulle skirt. Laura Neilson, Vogue, 21 Mar. 2024 Gyulai went on to perform internationally as a principal ballerina. Marcia Luttrell, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Mar. 2024 Bemba tapped into her dance background to play Flora, a striving young ballerina in French series L’Opéra, alongside Ariane Labed (The Lobster, The Souvenir). Scott Roxborough, The Hollywood Reporter, 16 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'ballerina.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Italian, "woman who dances professionally or for pleasure," feminine counterpart of ballarino, ballerino "professional dancer, person who loves to dance," from ballare "to dance" (going back to Late Latin ballāre) + -ar-, -er-, extension in nominal derivation + -ino, suffix of occupations (as in postino "mailman," scalpellino "stonemason"), going back to Latin -īnus -ine entry 1 — more at ball entry 3

First Known Use

1815, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of ballerina was in 1815

Dictionary Entries Near ballerina

Cite this Entry

“Ballerina.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ballerina. Accessed 3 May. 2024.

Kids Definition

ballerina

noun
bal·​le·​ri·​na ˌbal-ə-ˈrē-nə How to pronounce ballerina (audio)
: a female ballet dancer

More from Merriam-Webster on ballerina

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