noun

diva

DEE-vuh/ˈdiːvə/

A celebrated female performer.

The celebrated diva sings onstage in an emerald gown, flowers at her feet.

A celebrated middle-aged white Italian female opera singer in a rich emerald gown commands center stage, singing with an expressive lifted hand; a modest spray of flowers lies at her feet. A cropped stage edge and small part of a burgundy curtain establish a performance. She is a skilled charismatic performer, not a caricature.

Etymology

The “goddess” image elevates a distinguished female singer to an almost divine status. The source documents this honorific use, not how the word came to describe a demanding person.

In context

American Masters PBS23:32

she could do anything with the voice, and it was so extreme. Then I started watching about her, and of course I'm gay, so I love that she was a diva and the drama and the affair

The Many Passions of Matteo Lane

More examples

Fans line up for hours to hear the legendary jazz diva.
The festival brings together three of the world's greatest opera divas.
She became a pop diva with a string of hit albums.

Forms

diva · divas

Similar words

star: Can describe a celebrated performer of any gender.
superstar: Emphasizes exceptional fame and can describe any gender.