diva
diva — noun
1. a celebrated female performer — especially in opera, classical music, or popular
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.
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
Critics have called Jiwoo the most talented diva in classical music today.
The young singer already behaved like a seasoned diva, requesting fresh lilies in her dressing room each night.
Many opera divas from the 1950s still have devoted fans who collect their vintage recordings.
- 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
文法句型
a + diva
the + diva
[adjective] + diva
用法筆記
Originally used only for opera singers (from Italian 'diva' meaning goddess), but now broadly applied to any top female performer, especially singers and actors.
常見錯誤
2. someone — often a performer or creative professional — who expects to be treated
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.
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
When the restaurant got her order wrong, Zola threw a huge fit — a classic diva response.
Constanza, known for being a diva, stormed out of the kitchen when a junior cook questioned her recipe.
Baraka's friends joked he had become a diva because he kept complaining about the hotel sheets.
- 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
- team player
someone who co-operates with others
- people pleaser
someone who actively tries to make others happy, the opposite of demanding
文法句型
be + a diva
call + [person] + a diva
diva + behaviour / attitude / fit
用法筆記
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.