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Meaning & use

ballerina

noun·Everyday

Last updated

UK/ˌbæl.əˈriː.nə/
US/ˌbæl.əˈriː.nə/

Meanings

  1. nouncountable

    A female ballet dancer, especially one who has reached a high level and performs leading roles.

    Grammar: Countable: a ballerina, two ballerinas. For a male dancer, English usually uses 'danseur' or just 'male ballet dancer.'

    Patterns

    • a prima ballerina
    • train as a ballerina
    • ballerinas perform

    The ballerina took her final bow to thunderous applause.

    She trained for ten years before joining the company as a ballerina.

  2. nouncountable

    A young girl or student who is learning ballet.

    Grammar: Used affectionately for learners; contrast with the professional sense.

    Patterns

    • a little ballerina
    • ballerina classes

    My daughter is a little ballerina who never misses her Saturday class.

    The studio sells tiny tutus for aspiring ballerinas.

Word forms

pluralballerinas

Common combinations

a prima ballerina
The prima ballerina danced the lead in every performance that season.
train as a ballerina
She moved to the city to train as a ballerina at a famous school.
a ballerina's tutu
The costume department repaired the ballerina's tutu before opening night.

Synonyms and how they differ

danseuse
A formal French-derived word for a female dancer; 'ballerina' is the everyday term and implies ballet specifically.
dancer
The general word; 'ballerina' narrows it to ballet and often suggests high skill.

Word family

ballet noun
The classical dance style a ballerina performs.
balletic adjective
Moving in a graceful, dance-like way.

Commonly confused: ballerina or ballad?

ballerina vs ballad

A ballad is a song or poem telling a story; a ballerina is a ballet dancer.

Practice

A ballerina is someone who _____.

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