View synonyms for

ballerina

[ bal-uh-ree-nuh ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

a principal female dancer in a ballet company. Compare prima ballerina.
any female ballet dancer.
a woman's very low-heeled or heelless shoe or slipper, made to resemble a ballet slipper.

ballerina

/ ˌ��æ��əˈ��ː��ə /

noun

a female ballet dancer
the principal female dancer of a ballet company

ballerina

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

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Word History and Origins

Origin of ballerina¹

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

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Word History and Origins

Origin of ballerina¹

C18: from Italian, feminine of ballerino dancing master, from ballare to dance, from Late Latin �� : see ball ²

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

Whether actual star ballerinas are this serious and demanding and socially brutal, I don’t know, but this is a television show.

From

De Laâge took on the challenge of not only training as a ballerina but also learning English.

From

He opened his wallet and insisted he pay for the ballerina clothes.

From

The day of the attack was the first time Leanne had met Alice, and the "beautiful smile" of this "confident ballerina" left an impression.

From

Renowned 20th Century ballerina Markova, a co-founder of the English National Ballet and an influential figure in the Royal Ballet, will also be celebrated with a blue plaque at her childhood home in Muswell Hill.

From

baller Ballesteros

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