noun

primadonna

pree-muh-DON-uh

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Primadonna (noun) means a person who behaves as though they are more important than everyone else, demanding special treatment and sulking when they do not get it. Example: “He's a talented striker but a complete primadonna in the dressing room.”

noun

informal, disapproving A person who behaves as though they are more important than everyone else, demanding special treatment and sulking when they do not get it.

"He's a talented striker but a complete primadonna in the dressing room."

"The project stalled because two primadonnas refused to share credit."

The leading female singer in an opera company or production.

"She sang as prima donna at La Scala for a decade."

How to use primadonna

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishSomeone who acts like a star and expects everyone else to work around them.

When to use it

The insult sense is the everyday one and is always negative. The two-word spelling prima donna is preferred in formal writing and for the opera sense.

Memory tip

The plural is prima donnas, not prime donne, in ordinary English.

Trace the full origin ↓

Easily confused with

primadonna vs diva prima donna vs prima facie

Common pairings

acting like a primadonna primadonna behaviour no primadonnas

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C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

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Can you complete this real example?

He's a talented striker but a complete _____ in the dressing room.

Etymology

From Italian prima donna, literally "first lady", the term for the leading female singer in an opera company.

Origin: Italian

Synonyms

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diva egotist attention-seeker drama queen leading lady

Related words

actress diva egotist egotistical egoist swellhead

Rhymes for primadonna

nonna gonna donna Madonna Colonna belladonna

See all rhymes for primadonna →

Frequently asked questions

Is it primadonna or prima donna?

Prima donna, as two words, is the standard spelling in dictionaries and in formal writing. The closed-up primadonna is very common informally, especially in the insult sense.

What is the difference between a primadonna and a diva?

Both started as opera terms for the leading soprano and both now mean a demanding person. Diva has partly turned into a compliment about glamour and star quality, while primadonna stays firmly negative and points at the tantrums.

Can a man be a primadonna?

Yes. Despite the literal meaning "first lady", the insult sense is applied to men just as often as to women, particularly in sport and business.

What is the meaning of primadonna?

"primadonna" (noun) means a person who behaves as though they are more important than everyone else, demanding special treatment and sulking when they do not get it.

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