noun
Uncommon
diva
DEE-vuh
Diva (noun) means a famous female singer or performer, especially in opera. Example: “The opera diva received a standing ovation.”
noun
1
A famous female singer or performer, especially in opera.
"The opera diva received a standing ovation."
2
Someone, often used loosely for anyone, who is demanding, temperamental, and expects special treatment.
"He acted like a total diva about the seating arrangement."
How to use diva
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA star performer — or, informally, someone who behaves like they deserve special treatment.
Common mistake
The informal "acting like a diva" sense is now used for anyone demanding, not just singers.
Common pairings
opera diva
act like a diva
total diva
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Word forms
- Plural
- divas, dive
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The opera _____ received a standing ovation.
Etymology
From Italian diva, "goddess" or celebrated female singer, from Latin dīva, the feminine form of dīvus, "divine."
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for diva
See all rhymes for diva →Frequently asked questions
What does “diva” mean?
The word “diva” means a famous female singer or performer, especially in opera. In plain terms, a star performer — or, informally, someone who behaves like they deserve special treatment.
How do you pronounce “diva”?
“Diva” is pronounced DEE-vuh (/ˈdiː.və/ in IPA).
How do you use “diva” in a sentence?
Here is “diva” used in a sentence: “The opera diva received a standing ovation.”
What part of speech is “diva”?
“Diva” is a noun.
Where does the word “diva” come from?
The word “diva” comes from Latin. From Italian diva, "goddess" or celebrated female singer, from Latin dīva, the feminine form of dīvus, "divine.".
Is “diva” a common word?
“Diva” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “diva” have?
“Diva” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a famous female singer or performer, especially in opera.
