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

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

In this life-force of a musical, even the help gets to shine like so many sequins on a prima donna’s finery. —Greg Evans, Deadline, 21 Nov. 2024

Fitzgerald wondered if teammates looked at him as a prima donna. —Doug Haller, The Athletic, 29 July 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