dona

¹

[daw-nah]

noun

1. (initial capital letter),  Madam; Lady: a Portuguese title prefixed to a woman's given name.

2. (in Portuguese-speaking countries) a lady or gentlewoman.

doña

²

[daw-nyah]

noun

1. (initial capital letter),  Madam; Lady: a Spanish title prefixed to a woman's given name.

2. (in Spanish-speaking countries) a lady or gentlewoman.

Doña

¹

/ ˈdɒnjə, ˈdoɲa /

noun

1. a Spanish title of address equivalent to Mrs or Madam : placed before a name to indicate respect

Dona

²

/ ˈdõːnə /

noun

1. a Portuguese title of address equivalent to Mrs or Madam : placed before a name to indicate respect

Word History and Origins

Origin of Doña¹

1615–25; < Portuguese < Latin domina, feminine of dominus

Origin of Doña²

1615–25; < Spanish < Latin domina, feminine of dominus

Word History and Origins

Origin of Doña¹

C17: via Spanish, from Latin domina; see _Dona

Origin of Doña²

C19: from Latin domina lady, feminine of dominus master