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

Cushionaire Belinda Lace Sneaker Celebs like Nicole Kidman, Julia Roberts, and Bella Hadid have stepped out in ballerina sneakers. —Isabel Garcia, PEOPLE, 19 Jan. 2026

For example, consider a polished pair of black pants with sneakers, or a no-nonsense pinstripe design paired with ballerina flats. —Alison Syrett Cleary, InStyle, 18 Jan. 2026

The collection begins with Degas’s Dancers, reflecting the painter’s fascination with the motion and poise of ballerinas, expressed through the watch’s curved shapes and lively color palette. —Renan Botelho, Footwear News, 15 Jan. 2026

Peppered throughout the revelers are visions old and new: African tribal dancers and 21st-century DJs, ballerinas and clowns, water sleeves and electric guitars. —Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 11 Jan. 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