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

When Christian Louboutin released the Cassia pump—a stiletto outfitted with a squared toe box and ribbons that lace up like a ballerina’s pointe shoe—the shoes went instantly viral. —Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 6 Feb. 2025

An enchanting ballet performance A ballerina was filmed performing a dance on the edge of a cruise ship’s bilge, mere inches from Antarctica’s icy waters. —Alexandra Banner, CNN, 3 Feb. 2025

The dress, a symphony of pastel yellows and blues, featured an assemblage of French impressionist Degas’ infamous ballerinas. —Mathew Rodriguez, Them, 2 Feb. 2025

Bright spots in the category, however, included women’s seasonless shoe silhouettes such as flats, ballerinas, and pumps, as well as slippers, which performed especially well during the back-to-school and holiday months. —Stephen Garner For Footwear News, Robb Report, 31 Jan. 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

Kids Definition

ballerina

noun

bal·​le·​ri·​na ˌbal-ə-ˈrē-nə 

: a female ballet dancer