Italian

1 of 2

noun

Ital·​ian ə-ˈtal-yən How to pronounce Italian (audio)
i-,
also
ˌī- How to pronounce Italian (audio)
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
The popular sauce flavors to be sold include Sweet Onion Teriyaki, Roasted Garlic Aioli, Baja Chipotle, and a new Creamy Italian MVP, which is based on Subway’s MVP Parmesan Vinaigrette. Angela L. Pagán / The Takeout, Quartz, 24 Mar. 2024 Related Maurizio Pollini, Acclaimed Italian Pianist, Dies at age 82 03/24/2024 The Islamic State group’s Afghanistan affiliate has taken responsibility for the deadly attack, a claim that was confirmed by U.S. intelligence officials. Mitchell Peters, Billboard, 24 Mar. 2024 Only one of the 10 restaurants, Angelini Osteria, whose chef Gino Angelini was raised in Emilia Romagna, is run by an Italian. Laurie Ochoa, Los Angeles Times, 23 Mar. 2024 The Italian Community Center buffet is served from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and features buffet stations with appetizers, traditional breakfast items, entrees, a carving table, kids menu and desserts. Elaine Rewolinski, Journal Sentinel, 22 Mar. 2024 Canadian Denis Shapovalov defeated Italian Luciano Darderi 6-3, 6-7 (3-7), 6-4. Thursday’s afternoon schedule includes No. 17 American Madison Keys against Russian Diana Shnaider, a former North Carolina State player who beat Venus Williams in the opening round. Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 22 Mar. 2024 The Original Italian Dinner One of Cincinnati's oldest continuous traditions, this dinner features delicious handmade ravioli, meatballs and sauce made by the members of the church and the Sons & Daughters of Italy. Luann Gibbs, The Enquirer, 20 Mar. 2024 Two-hour reservations can be made online for 10:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. Capri Italian Restaurant 2602 Ruth Dr., (317) 259-4122, capriindianapolis.com The Clearwater eatery will serve a brunch buffet featuring American staples alongside Capri Italian fare from 11 a.m. to 5 .m. The Indianapolis Star, 20 Mar. 2024 Today is the official first day of spring and Rita's Italian Ice is celebrating by giving customers free Italian ice and introducing a new flavor. Gabe Hauari, USA TODAY, 19 Mar. 2024
Adjective
As a child in Havana before Castro’s takeover, his mother’s friend – an Italian woman named Franca – began playing guitar at their house, piquing his interest in playing the instrument. Joe Lynch, Billboard, 25 Mar. 2024 The Italian fashion house has been making thousand-dollar garments out of vicuña wool for three decades, but congressman Robert Garcia believes local workers are being exploited in the process. Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 25 Mar. 2024 Neon backed the movie, which follows Sweeney as an American nun who joins a remote convent in the Italian countryside. Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 24 Mar. 2024 On Saturday, the duo was spotted hand-in-hand while leaving a Broadway performance of Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre — just one night after their Italian dinner outing at Cucina Alba. Brenton Blanchet, Peoplemag, 24 Mar. 2024 Immaculate follows Sweeney's Cecilia, an American nun who seeks a change of pace and joins an illustrious Italian convent. Lauren Huff, EW.com, 24 Mar. 2024 Two new 500e models with unconventional names were unveiled this week in connection with a climate conference in Miami, and both are focused on the Stellantis brand’s Italian sensibility. Eric D. Lawrence, Detroit Free Press, 13 Mar. 2024 The panel discussed the lush Italian setting, the cinematography and the costumes. Michael Schneider, Variety, 13 Mar. 2024 The addition of chicken and other meats, and the breadcrumb coating, were Italian American adaptations, which took the dish in a new direction: heftier, not as light as the original parmigiana. Yotam Ottolenghi, New York Times, 13 Mar. 2024

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

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

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

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of Italian was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near Italian

Cite this Entry

“Italian.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Italian. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

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
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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