What does donna mean?
'Donna' is an Italian noun meaning 'woman' or 'lady', used both as an everyday Italian word and, more rarely, as a borrowed term in English to denote a lady, particularly one of dignity or social standing. English speakers encounter it chiefly through the phrase 'prima donna', literally the 'first lady' of an opera — the leading female soprano. By figurative extension, calling someone a prima donna suggests they are vain, temperamental, or difficult to work with, a sense that has become far more common than the operatic original. The word derives from the Latin 'domina', meaning mistress or lady of the house, making it a direct relative of English words such as 'madam', 'dame', and 'dominion'. Beyond its lexical use, Donna is a well-established feminine given name in Italy and across the English-speaking world. In tone, the word carries connotations of elegance, formality, and traditional femininity.
An Italian lady or woman, especially one of rank, elegance, or refinement.
"The donna of the villa welcomed travellers with generous hospitality."
In English this use is rare and usually confined to writing about Italian life or culture.
Within the phrase 'prima donna', the leading female singer in an opera company; figuratively, a vain or temperamental person.
"She behaved like such a prima donna that the crew threatened to walk out."
The figurative sense is now the dominant one in everyday English.
When used as an Italian loanword, the plural follows Italian form ('donne'); anglicised texts occasionally write 'donnas'.
"The fresco depicted noble donne gathered in a garden."
Every time you call someone a 'prima donna', you're speaking a little Italian — 'donna' means lady, and the phrase literally means 'first lady' of the opera stage.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of donna
'Donna' comes from Italian, where it means 'woman' or 'lady'. It descends directly from the Latin 'domina', the feminine of 'dominus' meaning lord or master, which also yields English relatives such as 'madam' (via French 'madame'), 'dame', and 'dominion'. The word entered English primarily through cultural and musical contact with Italy, especially in theatrical contexts like 'prima donna'. As a given name, Donna became especially popular in the United States during the mid-twentieth century.
How donna is actually used
In English, 'donna' on its own is rare and literary, typically used to evoke Italian settings or manners. Its commonest presence in English is inside the fixed expression 'prima donna', which by extension describes any temperamental, self-important person. It is also widely familiar as a female given name of Italian origin.
Easily confused with donna
'Donna' is simply an Italian word for a lady, whereas 'Madonna' is a specific compound (from 'ma donna', 'my lady') referring to the Virgin Mary or a woman regarded with reverent admiration.