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

Sinner won this year’s Australian Open and then Alcaraz came from two sets down to beat the Italian in an epic Roland Garros final. —Adam Zagoria, Forbes.com, 6 July 2025

From July 3 to July 6, rewards members can buy one a la carte Chicken Caesar, Kickin’ Ranch Chicken, or Tuscan Italian Wrap and get one a la carte Chicken Bacon Ranch, Ultimate Italian, or Roast Beef Cheddar Toasted Sandwich for free. —Julia Gomez, USA Today, 4 July 2025

Adjective

Expect traditional Italian fare from fresh seafood to risotto with a twist depending on what the chef finds fresh daily. —Alissa Fitzgerald, Forbes.com, 25 June 2025

A couple Kardashian weddings have taken place in Italy, drawing famously on the Riviera and religious-inspired aesthetics of the country, and celebrity vacation hot spot Lake Como has also drawn several famous nuptials, the vast blue body contrasting romantically with old Italian villas. —Anna Kaufman, USA Today, 25 June 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

Rhymes for Italian

• battalion
• medallion
• scallion
• stallion

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