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

Other federal holidays include: New Year's Day Presidents' Day Memorial Day Juneteenth July 4th Labor Day Columbus Day/Italian Heritage Day/Indigenous People's Day Veterans Day Thanksgiving Day Christmas Day History of MLK Jr. —David Faris, Newsweek, 19 Jan. 2025

Although it is often overshadowed by the country’s wide range of indigenous grapes, Italian Chardonnay is definitely worthy of any serious wine lover’s attention. —Mike Desimone and Jeff Jenssen, Robb Report, 19 Jan. 2025

Adjective

And in 1920, the Italian community of New York City organized a Fiume Day at City College Stadium in New York on Fiume Day to celebrate the anniversary of the occupation of the city, with Enrico Caruso singing on the occasion. —Georg Szalai, The Hollywood Reporter, 1 Feb. 2025

What Is Pesto? Technically, pesto, from the Italian verb pestare, meaning to crush or to grind, refers to anything made by pounding or mashing ingredients together. —Stacey Lastoe, Southern Living, 1 Feb. 2025

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