diva
- 01 B2 Upper Intermediate
a very famous and successful female singer, especially one who performs opera or pop music.
a celebrated female singer, originally referring to a leading opera performer (prima donna) but now applied to pop icons.
Simple“The legendary opera diva received a standing ovation that lasted for ten minutes.”
In context“The marketing campaign positioned the young vocalist as the next great pop diva, drawing comparisons to the icons of the nineties.”
- 02 B2 Upper Intermediate
someone who acts like they are very important and is difficult to please or very demanding.
a person who behaves in a temperamental, self-important, or excessively demanding manner regarding their personal needs.
Simple“Stop being such a diva and just help us carry these boxes.”
In context“The lead actor developed a reputation for being a diva after he refused to leave his trailer until his specific brand of water was provided.”
Synonymsprima donnaegotist - 03 C1 Advanced
a person who looks great and acts with a lot of confidence and style.
a term of endearment or praise for someone who presents themselves with exceptional confidence, style, or feminine power.
Simple“You look like a total diva in that dress tonight.”
In context“The performer walked onto the stage like a true diva, instantly capturing the attention of everyone in the room with her poise.”
From Italian diva (“diva, goddess”), from Latin dīva (“goddess”), female of dīvus (“divine, divine one; notably a deified mortal”), from Old Latin deivā, from Proto-Italic deiwā (“goddess”), feminine of deiwos (“god”), from Proto-Indo-European *deywós (“god”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.