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

Her shoe wardrobe ranges from classic block-heel ballerinas to whimsical dainty sandals adorned with lemons. — Jaden Thompson, Footwear News, 15 Oct. 2026

Baizhan studied to become a ballerina but fell in love with ceramics for its expressive freedom. — Yulia Denisyuk, Condé Nast Traveler, 14 Oct. 2026

The singer trained with a professional ballerina to prepare for the choreography featured on her LUX tour. — Mitchell Peters, Billboard, 11 Oct. 2026

Recognized for its extended vamp (that is, the upper portion of the shoe), this style lives at the intersection of a ballerina, a loafer, and a mule. — Bianca Kratky, Glamour, 29 Sep. 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