ballerina

American  

[bal-uh-ree-nuh] / ˌbæl əˈri nə /

noun

1. a principal female dancer in a ballet company.

2. any female ballet dancer.

3. a woman's very low-heeled or heelless shoe or slipper, made to resemble a ballet slipper.

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ballerina British  

/ ˌbæləˈriːnə /

noun

1. a female ballet dancer

2. the principal female dancer of a ballet company

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ballerina Cultural  

1. In ballet, a female dancer. (See prima ballerina.)

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Etymology

Origin of ballerina

1785–95; < Italian, feminine of ballerino professional dancer, probably equivalent to baller ( ia ) dance ( ball ( are ) to dance (< Late Latin; ball ² ) + -eria < Old French; -ery ) + -ino -ine ¹

Example Sentences

The story is completely absurd, filled with plot holes and characters as thin as a prima ballerina.

From Salon • Mar. 29, 2026

Trailblazing ballerina Misty Copeland says Timothée Chalamet ‘wouldn’t be an actor and have the opportunities he has as a movie star if it weren’t for opera and ballet and their relevance.’

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 12, 2026

Thousands of people waiting in a rainy Piazza del Duomo cheered as torchbearer Nicoletta Manni, an Italian ballerina, carried it into the square, over an hour behind schedule.

From Barron's • Feb. 5, 2026

On a Christmas tree greeting card, for example, a miniature ballerina ornament had three separate colors, including red lips.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 14, 2026

Between them sat a small table on which perched a crystal statue of a ballerina.

From "Breadcrumbs" by Anne Ursu