What does "madonna" mean?
An artistic representation of the Virgin Mary, chiefly when holding the infant Jesus.
Madonna
/məˈdɒnə/ name, noun
name, noun ·Moderate ·College level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: An artistic representation of the Virgin Mary, chiefly when holding the infant Jesus.
- Grammar: madonna is listed as name, noun.
- Nearest alternatives: blessed virgin, dei mater, deipara, holy mary.
- Useful contrasts: sir, underground musician, unknown artist.
- Usage evidence: Madonna is known to every high school student in Japan.
How to use "madonna"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "madonna" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "madonna" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "madonna" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "madonna" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "madonna" is acting as name, noun in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "blessed virgin" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "madonna", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 An artistic representation of the Virgin Mary, chiefly when holding the infant Jesus.
"A beautiful example of this type of Madonna is the polyptych in the Museo Civico in Sansepolcro."
- 2 Alternative letter-case form of Madonna.; A representation of the Virgin Mary.
"Glogau Stat.—Inns: Deutsches Haus; Westphal’s Hotel. A fortress of the 2nd rank on the l. bank of the Oder, 17,000 Inhab. The Dom upon an island dates from 1120, and contains a madonna by Cranach, sen., his masterpiece."
- 3 A one-footed lien-to-tail trick, where the front foot is taken off and kicked out straight down behind the board.
- 4 A morally pure woman.
"“Men,” I said, with a tone of disgust. “Halal circles, haram circles, good, bad, Madonnas, whores, goats, penises, it’s all the same.”"
- 5 Alternative letter-case form of Madonna.; A morally pure woman.
"Yet most of us will probably deny that this blissful woman is a sexual woman. We associate her with Virgin Mary, who conceived in an act of spiritual purity and not in carnal lust and desire. We regard her chastity as essential to her maternal rectitude. Thus we hardly recognize the madonna's subtle sensuality as sexual energy, especially not in an age where we measure sexuality in orgasmic potency."
Show 1 more definition
- 6 Alternative letter-case form of Madonna.; A lady.
"[…] hee lay laſt night in ſuch a madonnas chamber, tother night he lay in ſuch a Counteſſes couch, to night he lies in ſuch a Ladies cloſet, […]"
Proper Noun
- 1 Synonym of Mary, mother of Jesus, especially in Catholic contexts. sometimes, with-definite-article
- 2 A female given name from Italian.
"We feel bound to add, however, that it is not very likely, in the usual chances of events, that such names as Alaric Attila Watts should have met in matrimony with those of Zillah Madonna Wiffen; and an unkind world may suggest a mystification somewhere."
Synonyms
All synonymsAntonyms
Example
"Madonna is known to every high school student in Japan."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "madonna"?
Common synonyms include: blessed virgin, dei mater, deipara, holy mary, immaculate conception, ma donna.
How do you use "madonna" in a sentence?
Madonna is known to every high school student in Japan.
How do you pronounce "madonna"?
Pronounced /məˈdɒnə/.
Etymology
Etymology 1
From Italian madonna, from Old Italian ma (“my”) + donna (“lady”). The given name is derived from the English term, not used as a given name in Italy. Doublet of madam.
Etymology 2
Said to be named after the American singer Madonna.