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.
In Pretty Lethal, one of the ballerinas is deaf and becomes trapped in a dangerous survival situation. Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 11 May 2026 Get around in style with these ballerina sneakers inspired by Kidman at Amazon, Nordstrom, Vivaia, and more stores below — from $40. Nicol Natale, PEOPLE, 10 May 2026 The straps, ruched toe and all-white styling moved the trend away from everyday city dressing and back toward the studio cues that made the ballerina flat recognizable in the first place. Maggie Clancy, Footwear News, 10 May 2026 Stunning bicolor blooms dangle in clusters, twirling their ruffled petals like ballerinas. Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 4 May 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

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Cite this Entry

“Ballerina.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ballerina. Accessed 20 May. 2026.

Kids Definition

ballerina

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

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