donna

Everyday

1. (a name) Donna is a woman's first name. tree →
2. (Italian) The Italian word for «woman» or «lady», and an old title of respect for a lady, like «Madam». tree →
3. In the phrase «prima donna»: the main woman singer in an opera, and (informal) a person who is vain and expects special treatment. tree →

In the lessons

In everyday English «donna» is mostly met as a name or in «prima donna», which tells the reader someone is behaving like a fussy star. In music lessons, the prima donna is the leading opera singer. Phrases: «prima donna», «Madonna» (my lady, a title of Mary, the mother of Jesus).

Examples

• Donna is my mum's best friend. tree →
• Stop acting like a prima donna and help tidy up! tree →
• The prima donna sang the final song beautifully. tree →
• In Italian, «donna» means woman. tree →
• Madonna, which means «my lady», is a name for Mary in Christian art. tree →
• He threw a prima-donna tantrum when he lost the game. tree →
• The 'prima donna' would only act when the lights were red, for she declared that a blue light did not suit her complexion. tree →

Note

Not an ordinary English word on its own: it is Italian, or a name (written with a capital: Donna). Pronounced «DON-a». «Prima donna» can be written with or without a hyphen; it is a mild insult when used about ordinary people.