'ballerine' originates from French, specifically the word 'ballerine', ultimately from Italian 'ballerina', where 'ballare' meant 'to dance'.

'ballerine' changed from the Italian word 'ballerina' (diminutive of 'ballerino') into French as 'ballerine' and was later borrowed into English as 'ballerine'.

Initially it meant 'little dancer' (diminutive of 'dancer'), but over time it evolved into the current senses of 'female ballet dancer' and a 'ballet-style flat shoe'.