donna
noun
Madam; Lady: an Italian title of respect prefixed to the given name of a woman.
donna
1 American
[dawn-nah]
/ ˈdɔn nɑ /
noun
-
(initial capital letter) Madam; Lady: an Italian title of respect prefixed to the given name of a woman.
-
an Italian lady.
Donna
2
American
[don-uh]
/ ˈdɒn ə /
noun
Donna
British
/ ˈdɒnə, ˈdɔnna /
noun
Etymology
Origin of donna
1660–70; < Italian < Latin domina, feminine of dominus
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
The prima donna in extremis in Pearl Cleage’s “Angry, Raucous, and Shamelessly Gorgeous,” which is having its Los Angeles premiere at the Geffen Playhouse, has an air of Bette Davis extravagance to her.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 19, 2026
Starring Vanessa Williams as the titular prima donna, the brilliantly named Ebony Scrooge, the film follows Ebony’s transformation from penny-pinching pop star to charitable altruist.
From Salon ● Dec. 24, 2025
But Knight, Larraín, and Jolie are all careful to avoid reducing Callas to an over-the-top ableist stereotype or portraying her as the ruthless prima donna tigress the media painted her as.
From Salon ● Sep. 28, 2024
It rises or falls on the strength of its prima donna.
From New York Times ● Sep. 28, 2022
You really are a tiresome little prima donna.
From "Atonement" by Ian McEwan
Actor Shelley Fabares, known for “The Donna Reed Show,” “One Day at a Time,” “Coach” and her hit song “Johnny Angel,” has died at 82.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 25, 2026
She began her acting career at the age of 3 and became a household name playing teenager Mary Stone on “The Donna Reed Show” from 1958 to 1963.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 23, 2026
Morrison provided edits and introduced Scott to powerhouse literary agent Amanda “Binky” Urban, who also represented Nora Ephron, Cormac McCarthy and Donna Tartt.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 20, 2026
One of the names in the frame for ap Gwynfor's well-led expert panel is respected NHS troubleshooter Donna Ockenden.
From BBC ● Aug. 10, 2026
“You look good, cuzz. Finally. I’m glad you came to your senses,” Donna says to me as I reach her side.
From "American Street" by Ibi Zoboi
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
