diva

diva — noun

1. a celebrated female performer — especially in opera, classical music, or popular

1.nounB2
Definition

a celebrated female performer — especially in opera, classical music, or popular music — whose singing or acting talent is widely admired and who attracts a very large audience.

Example

Élise dreamed of becoming an opera diva after watching a performance of La Traviata.

collocation: opera diva / become a diva

The audience gave the pop diva a standing ovation before she sang her first note.

collocation: pop diva

Common collocations
  • opera diva
  • pop diva
  • reigning diva
  • become a diva
  • behave like a diva
Synonyms
  • prima donna

    more specifically an opera singer; carries stronger connotations of temperament

  • superstar

    broader term covering any famous performer, not limited to women

  • icon

    focuses on lasting cultural impact rather than current fame

Antonyms
  • unknown

    a person with no fame or public recognition

  • beginner

    someone at the start of their career, opposite of established star

Grammar Patterns

a + diva

the + diva

[adjective] + diva

Usage Note

Originally used only for opera singers (from Italian 'diva' meaning goddess), but now broadly applied to any top female performer, especially singers and actors.

Common Mistakes

Diva is my favourite singer.
She is my favourite singer
a true diva.' — 'Diva' is a descriptive label for a type of performer, not a personal name or a direct synonym for 'singer'.

2. someone — often a performer or creative professional — who expects to be treated

2.nounC1
Definition

someone — often a performer or creative professional — who expects to be treated as exceptionally important, becomes upset over minor issues, and is difficult to work with as a result.

Example

The film director called the lead actress a diva after she refused to work without air conditioning.

call + [person] + a diva (accusation of difficult behaviour)

Christopher's diva behaviour made it hard for the team to finish the project on time.

attributive noun: diva behaviour

Common collocations
  • diva behaviour
  • diva attitude
  • diva fit
  • throw a diva fit
  • act like a diva
  • classic diva
Synonyms
  • prima donna

    identical meaning and register; interchangeable in most contexts

  • drama queen

    more colloquial and less tied to status or importance; focuses on emotional overreaction

  • high-maintenance person

    milder term; describes someone who requires a lot of attention and special treatment

Antonyms
  • team player

    someone who co-operates with others

  • people pleaser

    someone who actively tries to make others happy, the opposite of demanding

Grammar Patterns

be + a diva

call + [person] + a diva

diva + behaviour / attitude / fit

Usage Note

Despite the feminine origin of the word, this sense can be applied to people of any gender. The tone is usually critical or mocking, not neutral. Frequently used in entertainment and workplace contexts.

Common Mistakes

He is being such a diva, but I mean it as a compliment.
He is being such a diva
he refused to share the office.' — Calling someone a diva in this sense is almost always a criticism, not a compliment.

Word family

  • divo
    nounC2
  • prima donna
    nounC1

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

All four words describe famous performers, but with different emphases. 'Diva' retains a strong connection to opera and classical music, though it is now used for any prominent female singer or actor. 'Prima donna' is the most narrow — it almost always refers to an opera singer and often implies a temperamental personality alongside talent. 'Superstar' is the broadest and most neutral term, applying to any celebrity in music, film, or sports without the feminine or artistic associations of 'diva'. 'Icon' and 'legend' stress lasting cultural impact over current popularity; an icon is widely recognised as a symbol of an era, while a legend is remembered for extraordinary achievements. You can call Taylor Swift a 'pop diva' to highlight her star power in that genre, but calling her an 'icon' or 'legend' would speak more to her long-term influence.

prima donnasuperstar ↗icon ↗legend ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Phrases

  • act like a diva
  • behave like a diva
  • be a diva about something
  • throw a diva fit

Prepositions

Etymology

LatinItalianEnglish

English borrowed 'diva' directly from Italian, where it means 'goddess'. Italian inherited it from Latin 'diva', the feminine form of 'divus' meaning 'divine' or 'god'. The word first appeared in English in the late 19th century as a term for celebrated female opera singers. Over the 20th century, its meaning expanded to cover any famous female performer, and later developed a separate critical sense describing someone who acts demanding and self-important — a meaning influenced by the stereotype of the 'prima donna' (Italian for 'first lady', the lead female singer in opera).