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prima donna

noun
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pri·​ma don·​na | \ ˌpri-mə-ˈdä-nə How to pronounce prima donna (audio) , 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, "Meryl Streep is queen of Netflix’s ‘Prom,’ an LGBTQ message musical gone Hollywood," 3 Dec. 2020 But Zdebski said he was warned that Brenden Rice had some prima donna in him, was selfish. — Richard Obert, azcentral, "Brenden Rice didn't want famous name to carry him as he became the ultimate team player at Hamilton," 12 Mar. 2020 The entire crew is ready to start working, but Gladys is being a prima donna. — Rachel Manteuffel, Washington Post, "Using goats to clear land is ‘way more labor-intensive than anyone can imagine’," 13 Aug. 2019 The five-star prima donna busts and the unrated late bloomers full of heart. — Fletcher Page, Cincinnati.com, "Analysis: Breaking down Luke Fickell's recruiting success with UC Bearcats football," 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, "Review:: On Theater: ‘Phantom’ resurrected with a vengeance at Segerstrom," 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, "Which Famous Moms Would You Want to Be Friends With?," 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, "Review:: On Theater: ‘Phantom’ resurrected with a vengeance at Segerstrom," 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, "Which Famous Moms Would You Want to Be Friends With?," 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.

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First Known Use of prima donna

1754, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for prima donna

Italian, literally, first lady

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The first known use of prima donna was in 1754

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Cite this Entry

“Prima donna.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/prima%20donna. Accessed 3 Mar. 2021.

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More Definitions for prima donna

prima donna

noun
How to pronounce prima donna (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of prima donna

: the main female singer in an opera company
disapproving : 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

See the full definition for prima donna in the English Language Learners Dictionary

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Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for prima donna

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