Word
diva
Phoneticsdi·va, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈdivə/
UK/dˈiːvɐ/
Definitions
01a famous singer
B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun Music
n. a very famous and successful female singer, especially one who performs opera or pop music.
n. a celebrated female singer, originally referring to a leading opera performer (prima donna) but now applied to pop icons.
“The legendary opera diva received a standing ovation that lasted for ten minutes.”
“The marketing campaign positioned the young vocalist as the next great pop diva, drawing comparisons to the icons of the nineties.”
02a demanding person
B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun Informal
n. someone who acts like they are very important and is difficult to please or very demanding.
n. a person who behaves in a temperamental, self-important, or excessively demanding manner regarding their personal needs.
“Stop being such a diva and just help us carry these boxes.”
“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.”
Synonyms
03a confident person
C1 · Advanced Countable noun Slang · Informal
n. a person who looks great and acts with a lot of confidence and style.
n. a term of endearment or praise for someone who presents themselves with exceptional confidence, style, or feminine power.
“You look like a total diva in that dress tonight.”
“The performer walked onto the stage like a true diva, instantly capturing the attention of everyone in the room with her poise.”
Etymology
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.
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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