ballerina

noun

bal·​le·​ri·​na ˌba-lə-ˈrē-nə 

: a woman who is a ballet dancer : danseuse

Examples of ballerina in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The 24-year-old put a ballerina spin on the classic frock for a night out in Los Angeles, California. —Christina Perrier, InStyle, 12 Mar. 2026

Along with other celebrities such as Tom Brady and Kid Cudi, the ballerina was photographed wearing a navy windbreaker emblazoned with the film's title. —Marina Watts, Entertainment Weekly, 10 Mar. 2026

Mick Jagger’s fiancé, former ABT ballerina Melanie Hamrick, will be honored at this year’s Youth America Grand Prix (YAGP) Gala at the David Koch Theater in Lincoln Center on April 16. —Richard Johnson, New York Daily News, 8 Mar. 2026

The four styles include the $80 LoveShackFancy Classic Ballet in Pastel, a feminine silhouette with satin ribbons that can be attached to the shoe rivets and wrap around the ankle to mirror the quintessential ballerina look. —Jaden Thompson, Footwear News, 27 Feb. 2026

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

Phrases Containing ballerina

• prima ballerina

Rhymes for ballerina

• acarina
• casuarina
• celestina
• concertina
• filipina
• foramina
• leucaena
• littorina
• scarlatina
• semolina
• serotina
• signorina

Kids Definition

ballerina

noun

bal·​le·​ri·​na ˌbal-ə-ˈrē-nə 

: a female ballet dancer