Diva is the Latin and Italian word for "goddess", the feminine form of the Latin word divus (= "god").

 

Time Magazine observed in its October 21, 2002 issue: "By definition, a diva is a rampaging female ego redeemed only in part by a lovely voice." The word was originally used of great female opera singers, almost always sopranos (like Maria Callas), but can be used to describe many female celebrities, such as singers, movie actresses, or athletes.

 

As with the earlier "prima donna," which was also derived from opera (lit. "first lady"), the term has slipped from its trade origins and come to be used in any theatrical or performative setting. In particular, because of marketing efforts, the word "diva" has come to be applied most often to popular female performers. In current usage, many people seem to understand "diva" as meaning any female singer, but this is incorrect.

There are many women who are world famous divas, among them Aretha Franklin, Diana Ross, Cher, Tina Turner, Mariah Carey, Carole King, Joni Mitchell, Joan Baez, Rickie Lee Jones, Natalie Cole, Julie Andrews, Liza Minnelli, Carly Simon, Barbra Streisand, Judy Garland, Peggy Lee, Doris Day, Lena Horne, Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan, Dinah Washington, Nina Simone, Patti LaBelle, Etta James, Gladys Knight, Roberta Flack, Chaka Khan, Donna Summer, Olivia Newton-John, Linda Ronstadt, Dolly Parton, Emmylou Harris, Tammy Wynette, Loretta Lynn, Patsy Cline, Karen Carpenter, Bette Midler, Dionne Warwick, Janis Joplin, Annie Lennox, Patti Smith, Deborah Harry, Stevie Nicks, Chrissie Hynde, Dusty Springfield, Anne Murray, Connie Francis, Brenda Lee, Meryl Streep......

 

A less-used Italian word, Divo, describes male super stars.

 

As of late, diva has had a negative connotation, as the word can be used to imply that the star believes the only thing that matters is his or her person, and that everyone involved in a project must cater to his or her every whim