donna
4 synonyms for donna, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A title of respect for a lady, especially in Italy, roughly equivalent to "madam."
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Etymology
From Italian donna, "lady" — a doublet of "dame" and "domina," all tracing back to Latin domina.
Full origin of donna →Frequently asked questions
What does “donna” mean?
The word “donna” means a title of respect for a lady, especially in Italy, roughly equivalent to "madam.". In plain terms, an Italian honorific used before a woman's name to show respect, similar to "Lady" or "Madam.".
How do you pronounce “donna”?
“Donna” is pronounced DON-uh (/ˈdɑ.nə/ in IPA).
How do you use “donna” in a sentence?
Here is “donna” used in a sentence: “The villagers still addressed the countess as Donna Maria.”
What part of speech is “donna”?
“Donna” is a noun.
Where does the word “donna” come from?
The word “donna” comes from Latin. From Italian donna, "lady" — a doublet of "dame" and "domina," all tracing back to Latin domina.
Is “donna” a common word?
“Donna” is a fairly common word in modern English.
Is "donna" capitalized when used as a title before a name?
Yes, when "donna" functions as a title of respect placed before a person's name, it is capitalized, similar to titles like "Madam" or "Mrs."
What is the difference between "donna" and "madam" in English?
"Donna" is an Italian title of respect for a lady, roughly equivalent in meaning and function to the English "madam." The main difference is language and setting: "donna" is used especially in Italy, while "madam" is the standard English equivalent.
Is "donna" used mainly in Italy?
Yes, "donna" is a title of respect for a lady used especially in Italy, functioning much like "madam" does in English.
