prima donna

noun

pri·​ma don·​na ˌpri-mə-ˈdä-nə 

ˌprē-

plural prima donnas

1

: a principal female singer in an opera or concert organization

2

: a vain or undisciplined person who finds it difficult to work under direction or as part of a team

Examples of prima donna in a Sentence

The actress is a temperamental prima donna.

We are looking for team players, not prima donnas.

Recent Examples on the Web

Siri would get lost trying to find prima donnas and troublemakers in the Broncos locker room. —Troy Renck, The Denver Post, 5 Jan. 2025

Just past the gurgle of the lobby fountain was Barbie Q. Chicken, a 4-year-old bird who was both Broadway prima donna and antibullying activist. —Peter Rubin, Longreads, 26 Dec. 2024

Maria Callas is often called the quintessential prima donna. —Amanda Luberto, The Arizona Republic, 25 Nov. 2024

Her stunning beauty elevates the life of the beloved but complicated prima donna. —Amanda Luberto, The Arizona Republic, 25 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Italian, literally, first lady

First Known Use

1754, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

prima donna

noun

pri·​ma don·​na ˌprim-ə-ˈdän-ə 

ˌprē-mə-

plural prima donnas

1

: a principal female singer in an opera or concert organization

2

: a person who is easily hurt or upset or is stuck-up

Etymology

Italian, literally, "first lady"; prima from Latin prima, a feminine form of primus "first," donna from Latin domina "lady, mistress," a feminine form of dominus "master" — related to dame, prime