prima donna

noun

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pri·ma don·na | \ ˌpri-mə-ˈdä-nə

, ˌprē- \

plural prima donnas

Definition of prima donna

1 : a principal female singer in an opera or concert organization

2 : a vain or undisciplined person who finds it difficult to work under direction or as part of a team

Examples of prima donna in a Sentence

The actress is a temperamental prima donna. We are looking for team players, not prima donnas.

Recent Examples on the Web The fun isn’t so much about Dee Dee as watching Streep play a faltering prima donna to the hilt. — Charles Mcnulty Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 3 Dec. 2020 But Zdebski said he was warned that Brenden Rice had some prima donna in him, was selfish. — Richard Obert, azcentral, 12 Mar. 2020 The entire crew is ready to start working, but Gladys is being a prima donna. — Rachel Manteuffel, Washington Post, 13 Aug. 2019 The five-star prima donna busts and the unrated late bloomers full of heart. — Fletcher Page, Cincinnati.com, 26 July 2019 The company’s prima donna soprano, Trista Moldovan, exhibits a world-class voice, even though hers is meant to be a secondary talent. — Tom Titus, Daily Pilot, 15 July 2019 Jennifer Garner Older daughter Violet is about the same age as Suri Cruise, but seems like way less of a pint-size prima donna. — Kim Fusaro, Woman's Day, 5 July 2010 The company’s prima donna soprano, Trista Moldovan, exhibits a world-class voice, even though hers is meant to be a secondary talent. — Tom Titus, Daily Pilot, 15 July 2019 Jennifer Garner Older daughter Violet is about the same age as Suri Cruise, but seems like way less of a pint-size prima donna. — Kim Fusaro, Woman's Day, 5 July 2010

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'prima donna.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.