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

Will the ballerina spin into the arms of the handsome suitor? —Zac Ntim, Deadline, 6 Oct. 2025

Other designs seen throughout the performance included the Cassia Annmac taking cues from the soft cocoon of leg warmers; the Cassiasticina evoking ballerina slippers and the Ruben style, the first Cassia creation in the men’s range. —Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 3 Oct. 2025

Plus, the icy pastel hues are reminiscent of ballerinas prancing in The Nutcracker. —Brandi Fuller, Better Homes & Gardens, 30 Sep. 2025

But the ballerinas are not on tour with Jigitz this fall, given that all his shows are being played on the floor in the round, where the energy can get hectic. —Katie Bain, Billboard, 30 Sep. 2025

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