Donna

Pronunciation

• UK IPA: /ˈdÉ’n.É™/
• US IPA: /ˈdÉ‘.nÉ™/

Origin

From Italian donna.

Full definition of donna

Noun

1. A lady, especially a noblewoman; the title given to a lady in Italy.
• 1837, Thomas Tod Stoddart, Angling reminiscences (page 65)What are the songs of Italy, sung as they are by the donnas of the scenic board, but a replication of squalls and quavers, infinitely more annoying than the gibberish of crones...
• 2005, Burton D. Fisher, Mozart's Don Giovanni, page 22In Don Giovanni's three female characters, the diverse spectrum of womanhood is rendered complete: the great opera seria character of the avenging Donna Anna, the sentimental and spurned Donna Elvira, and the crafty but sympathetic peasant girl Zerlina.

Synonyms

• (lady) lady, madam, mistress, noblewoman

Coordinate terms

• (lady) don