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

These last few seasons, ballerina shoes have firmly conquered the fashion scene. —Marilú Almaguer, Glamour, 4 Apr. 2025

The ballerina shoes, seen below, were designed in collaboration with Ecco’s long-term creative partner Natacha Ramsay-Levi, a Sevigny pal. —Chris Gardner, The Hollywood Reporter, 24 Mar. 2025

Think: an Auguste Rodin ballerina in eyeshot of Deana Lawson portraits; Marlene Dumas canvases in conversation with nearby Peter Doigs; a Richard Avedon photograph meeting one by Anne Imhof. —Mark Guiducci, Vogue, 17 Mar. 2025

One cruised around town like a combination of a warrior and a ballerina. —Josh Max, Forbes, 28 Feb. 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