dolce far niente

noun

dol·​ce far nien·​te ˈdōl-chē-ˌfär-nē-ˈen-tē How to pronounce dolce far niente (audio)
: pleasant relaxation in carefree idleness

Examples of dolce far niente in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Italy is the sweetness of doing nothing, la dolce far niente. Kerri Westenberg, Star Tribune, 21 Aug. 2020 If work from home has become always working from home, MSC Cruises’ MSC Seashore has the antidote: a Caribbean-cruising oasis with plenty of places to savor il dolce far niente. Cnt Editors, Condé Nast Traveler, 3 May 2022 The lobby, guest rooms, spa and two pools combine a clubby modernism and dolce far niente, while heart-skipping views of the Dolomites backdrop it all. Andrew Nelson, WSJ, 10 Aug. 2022 Instead of the dolce far niente ambiance found in many Italian coastal resorts, the attitude here seems to be dolce far qualcosa, and the more active the better. Catherine Sabino, Forbes, 11 Aug. 2022 It's rumpled in the dolce far niente way, not in the I'm-a-schlub manner. Roxanne Adamiyatt, Town & Country, 19 June 2021 The secret to its longevity, then and now, is a steadfast commitment to the idea of dolce far niente, the elysian pleasantness of doing absolutely nothing except enjoying yourself. Spencer Bailey, Town & Country, 28 Mar. 2021 Borrowing from the downtime that the Italians call dolce far niente (the sweetness of doing nothing), the act of cooking a meal can encourage a wandering mind. Annemarie Dooling, WSJ, 16 Mar. 2021 Life has a rhythm of its own here, deliciously slow and languid, the kind of dolce far niente (the sweetness of doing nothing) that makes for the very best kind of holiday. Skye McAlpine, Vogue, 23 Aug. 2018

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'dolce far niente.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Italian, literally, sweet doing nothing

First Known Use

1814, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of dolce far niente was in 1814

Dictionary Entries Near dolce far niente

Cite this Entry

“Dolce far niente.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dolce%20far%20niente. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

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