noun
Common
Madonna
muh-DO-nuh
Madonna (noun) means an artistic depiction of the Virgin Mary, especially shown holding the infant Jesus. Example: “The museum's most famous painting is a fifteenth-century madonna by an unknown Florentine artist.”
noun
1
An artistic depiction of the Virgin Mary, especially shown holding the infant Jesus.
"The museum's most famous painting is a fifteenth-century madonna by an unknown Florentine artist."
"Tourists lined up to see the small wooden madonna above the altar."
2
A skateboarding trick in which the front foot is lifted off the board and kicked straight down behind it.
"He landed a clean madonna off the ledge to finish the run."
How to use Madonna
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishMost often refers to a painting or statue of Mary holding baby Jesus; also a specific skate trick.
Common mistake
Capitalized "Madonna" usually refers to the singer or to Mary herself; lowercase "madonna" refers to the artwork or trick.
Easily confused with
madonna (the singer)
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Word forms
- Plural
- Madonnas
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The museum's most famous painting is a fifteenth-century _____ by an unknown Florentine artist.
Etymology
From Italian madonna, literally "my lady" (ma + donna).
Synonyms
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Rhymes for Madonna
See all rhymes for Madonna →Frequently asked questions
What does “Madonna” mean?
The word “Madonna” means an artistic depiction of the Virgin Mary, especially shown holding the infant Jesus. In plain terms, most often refers to a painting or statue of Mary holding baby Jesus; also a specific skate trick.
How do you pronounce “Madonna”?
“Madonna” is pronounced muh-DO-nuh (/məˈdɒnə/ in IPA).
How do you use “Madonna” in a sentence?
Here is “Madonna” used in a sentence: “The museum's most famous painting is a fifteenth-century madonna by an unknown Florentine artist.”
What part of speech is “Madonna”?
“Madonna” is a noun.
Where does the word “Madonna” come from?
The word “Madonna” comes from Italian. From Italian madonna, literally "my lady" (ma + donna).
Is “Madonna” a common word?
“Madonna” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “Madonna” have?
“Madonna” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: an artistic depiction of the Virgin Mary, especially shown holding the infant Jesus.
What does Madonna mean in art?
In art, a Madonna is a depiction of the Virgin Mary, typically shown holding the infant Jesus. Such images are common in religious painting and sculpture throughout art history.
What is a Madonna in skateboarding?
In skateboarding, a Madonna is a trick where the rider lifts the front foot off the board and kicks it straight down behind them. The trick's name comes from its visual resemblance to a dramatic pose, unrelated to the religious meaning of the word.
Why does the word Madonna have such different meanings in art and skateboarding?
The two meanings developed independently: the artistic sense comes from the traditional depiction of the Virgin Mary, while the skateboarding trick borrowed the name informally based on the pose's appearance. Context makes it clear which sense is meant, since the two fields rarely overlap.
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