Definition of prima donna
prima donnas
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
From the M-W Editors
Examples of prima donna in a Sentence
The actress is a temperamental prima donna.
We are looking for team players, not prima donnas.
Origin and Etymology of prima donna
Italian, literally, first lady
First Known Use: 1754
PRIMA DONNA Defined for English Language Learners
prima donna
play
noun
Definition of prima donna for English Language Learners
-
: the main female singer in an opera company
-
: a person who thinks she or he is better than everyone else and who does not work well as part of a team or group
Learn More about prima donna
Seen and Heard
What made you want to look up prima donna? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
Writing? Check your grammar now!