Italian

1 of 2

noun

Ital·​ian ə-ˈtal-yən 

i-,

also

ˌī- 

1

a

: a native or inhabitant of Italy

b

: a person of Italian descent

2

: the Romance language of the Italians

Italian

2 of 2

adjective

: of, relating to, or characteristic of Italy, the Italians, or Italian

Examples of Italian in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

This opera is sung in Italian with English captions. —Kathryn Gregory, The Courier-Journal, 6 Nov. 2024

The collection’s design, which features Basquiat’s 1983 painting In Italian, reflects the concept of assemblage—both in art and winemaking. —Rachel King, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024

Adjective

The Italian actress had been narrating HBO’s adaptation of Elena Ferrante’s novels, about the lives of two book-loving, quietly competitive friends from a poor Naples neighborhood, since its first episode in 2018. —Jasmine Vojdani, Vulture, 12 Nov. 2024

Of all the new metro Phoenix restaurants, try these 3 first: Italian to fine dining 'Meth lab of democracy' no more: Why is everyone so obsessed with Arizona? —Dina Kaur, The Arizona Republic, 6 Nov. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing Italian

• anti-Italian
• Italian American
• Italian dressing
• Italian greyhound
• Italian parsley
• Italian sandwich
• Italian sonnet
• Upper Italian

Kids Definition

Italian

noun

Ital·​ian

ə-ˈtal-yən,

i-

1

a

: a person born or living in Italy

b

: a person of Italian ancestry

2

: the Romance language of the Italians

Italian adjective