ballerina

noun

bal·​le·​ri·​na ˌba-lə-ˈrē-nə How to pronounce ballerina (audio)
: a woman who is a ballet dancer : danseuse

Examples of ballerina in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Mesh has been taking over the footwear space in recent years as a preferred material for ballerina flats, mules and high heels. — Karla Rodriguez, Footwear News, 24 June 2026 As for ballerina shoes, the popular footwear comes in multiple colors, shapes, and finishes. — René Chávez Esparza, Glamour, 28 June 2026 Monson de Kansky never became a world-famous ballerina. — Los Angeles Times, 29 June 2026 Becoming a ballerina takes decades of hard work, but pulling off their elegant look is as easy as lacing up these delicate Taekwondo Ballet Flats. — Irene Richardson, InStyle, 14 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for ballerina

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of ballerina was in 1815

Phrases Containing ballerina

Rhymes for ballerina

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Browse Nearby Words

baller
ballerina
ballet
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Cite this Entry

“Ballerina.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ballerina. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

ballerina

noun
bal·​le·​ri·​na ˌbal-ə-ˈrē-nə How to pronounce ballerina (audio)
: a female ballet dancer

More from Merriam-Webster on ballerina

Nglish: Translation of ballerina for Spanish Speakers

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