dona

1 of 2

noun (1)

do·na ˈdō-nə

: a Portuguese or Brazilian woman of rank

—used as a title prefixed to the Christian name

doña

2 of 2

noun (2)

do·ña ˈdō-nyə

: a Spanish woman of rank

—used as a title prefixed to the Christian name

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Portuguese, from Latin domina lady — more at dame

Noun (2)

Spanish, from Latin domina

First Known Use

Noun (1)

circa 1897, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

1606, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of dona was in 1606

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Dona.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dona. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.

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Kids Definition

doña

noun

do·ña ˈdō-nyə

: a Spanish woman of rank

—used as a title

Etymology

Noun

from Spanish doña "a woman of rank," from Latin domina (same meaning) — related to dame

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dona

noun (1)

noun (2)

Word History

Dictionary Entries Near dona

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