trattoria

noun

trat·​to·​ria ˌträ-tə-ˈrē-ə 

plural trattorias or trattorie ˌträ-tə-ˈrē-ˌā 

: restaurant

specifically : a usually small Italian restaurant

Did you know?

In Italian, "trattore" is the word for an innkeeper or restaurant owner. That word derives from the Old French verb traitier, which means "to treat" and is related to the Latin tractare, meaning "to drag about, handle, or deal with." "Trattoria," which first appeared in English in 1832, is one of several words that have entered our language to refer to a kind of specialized eatery - in this case, one that specializes in Italian cuisine. Others that have come later include "bistro" (from French, 1921), "brasserie" (from French, 1864), and "taqueria" (from Mexican Spanish, 1982).

Examples of trattoria in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Umbria, the underrated, landlocked region in central Italy, is famous for its lush landscapes, medieval palaces, and rustic trattorias. — Jessica Sulima, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Sep. 2026

End the day with dinner in a traditional trattoria, enjoying the true highlight of Florentine cuisine—Her Majesty, the Bistecca alla Fiorentina. — Susmita Baral, Travel + Leisure, 3 Sep. 2026

This location is more residential, with quieter streets and approachable local trattorias, but offers several architecturally significant palaces and one of the city's oldest churches, the 11th-century San Zan Degola. — Irene S. Levine, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026

The cacio e pepe pasta transports me to my favorite trattoria in Rome and the pan-roasted Chilean sea bass tastes like it was just fished out of the sea. — Allison Tibaldi, USA Today, 4 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

Italian, from trattore restaurateur, from French traiteur, from traiter to treat, from Old French traitier — more at treat entry 1

First Known Use

1832, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for trattoria

• chorea
• correa
• doria
• gloria
• scoria
• shorea
• thoria
• aporia
• centaurea
• dysphoria
• euphoria
• septoria

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