ballerina

noun

bal·​le·​ri·​na ˌba-lə-ˈrē-nə 

: a woman who is a ballet dancer : danseuse

Examples of ballerina in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Marking the Oscar-winning film’s 15th anniversary, the trio recently reunited and reminisced about the director trying to spark a feud between Portman and Kunis to aid their performances as ballerinas competing for the lead role in a Swan Lake production. —Glenn Garner, Deadline, 15 Aug. 2025

On her feet, every east London girl’s favorite choice for freaky footwear: the Margiela tabi ballerina flat. —Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 21 June 2025

Jennie’s ballerina sneakers hailed from Bad Bunny’s recent collaboration with Adidas. —Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 30 July 2025

In response athleisure juggernauts have adapted already popular slim sneaker silhouettes to match the trend, including the launch of Bad Bunny’s instant-sellout ballerina sneaker collab with Adidas. —Aemilia Madden, Glamour, 30 July 2025

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

Phrases Containing ballerina

• prima ballerina

Rhymes for ballerina

• acarina
• casuarina
• celestina
• concertina
• filipina
• foramina
• leucaena
• littorina
• scarlatina
• semolina
• serotina
• signorina

Kids Definition

ballerina

noun

bal·​le·​ri·​na ˌbal-ə-ˈrē-nə 

: a female ballet dancer