ballerina

noun

bal·​le·​ri·​na ˌba-lə-ˈrē-nə How to pronounce ballerina (audio)
: a woman who is a ballet dancer : danseuse

Examples of ballerina in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Portman and Millepied first met on the set of Darren Aronofsky’s Black Swan in 2009, in which Portman played the lead role of ballerina Nina Sayers, and Millepied both choreographed the film’s extensive dance sequences and played the role of David Moreau. Vogue, 8 Mar. 2024 Narrated by actor and comedian Chris Rock, Dancing in the Light: The Janet Collins Story tells the story of ballerina Janet Collins and her journey to becoming the first Black woman to perform at the Metropolitan Opera House. Lynnette Nicholas, Parents, 16 Feb. 2024 Her straight brown-black hair, ballerina physique, and air of frankness bring to mind a Hellenic Frida Kahlo. Virginia Heffernan, WIRED, 14 Feb. 2024 Melissa Barrera, Dan Stevens and Kathryn Newton star as criminals tasked to kidnap the ballerina daughter (Alisha Weir) of a wealthy underworld figure and keep an eye on her overnight at a mansion. Brian Truitt, USA TODAY, 30 Jan. 2024 In 2015, the amateur ballerina moved to Los Angeles. Jaweed Kaleem, Los Angeles Times, 28 Feb. 2024 Russian authorities detained a ballerina who is a Los Angeles resident and dual national on suspicion of treason. Elizabeth Robinson, NBC News, 21 Feb. 2024 Borne offstage by a troupe of her colleagues, a ballerina kicks her feet in cheeky protest. Celia Wren, Washington Post, 16 Feb. 2024 Then there was Chanel’s Haute Couture presentation which was heavily inspired by ballerinas. Kerane Marcellus, Essence, 26 Jan. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'ballerina.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of ballerina was in 1815

Dictionary Entries Near ballerina

Cite this Entry

“Ballerina.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ballerina. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

ballerina

noun
bal·​le·​ri·​na ˌbal-ə-ˈrē-nə How to pronounce ballerina (audio)
: a female ballet dancer

More from Merriam-Webster on ballerina

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