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 Choc heel, with its distinctive concave shape, takes center stage across ballerinas, pumps, ankle boots and slingbacks, combining animalier jacquard with metallic leather in silver and champagne. — Katie Abel, Footwear News, 9 Nov. 2026

Pumps, ballerinas, high-vamp heels, or Mary Janes have a sly, almost theatrical vibe when paired with such a feminine bottom. — Alex Sales, Glamour, 8 Nov. 2026

Each year, three young ballerinas get to join the Rockettes on stage in the role of Clara, performing a classical ballet solo and pas de deux. — Richard Johnson, New York Daily News, 8 Nov. 2026

While Van Zandt was out on the road, Maureen, 74, who’s an actor and a former ballerina, kept busy with her own projects. — Hannah Sacks, PEOPLE, 4 Nov. 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

• ballerina flat
• ballerina shoe
• ballerina slipper
• 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