SINCE 1828

An Encyclopædia Britannica Company

Italianism

play

noun Ital·ian·ism \ə-ˈtal-yə-ˌni-zəm, i- also ī-\

Definition of Italianism

1a : a quality characteristic of Italy or the Italian peopleb : a characteristic feature of Italian occurring in another language
2a : specialized interest in or emulation of Italian qualities or achievementsb : promotion or love of Italian policies or ideals

First Known Use of italianism

1594

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up Italianism? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show

WORD OF THE DAY

oppugn

play

to fight against or to call in question

Words at Play

watercolor-squares

We're Down With You Being—or Your Being?—a Square

It's about (you? your?) having your say.

Devilish Words

Don't blame a word use error on the devil.

alt-599492594f435

How 'Wonderful' Lost Its Sense of Wonder

A case of semantic bleaching

dog-covering-face

Don't Let Reading This Be Another 'Coulda' 'Shoulda' 'Woulda'

PSA: They're three separate words.

Ask the Editors

video-title-words-of-the-year-1066

Words of the Year: 1066

Or, Why Pig Meat is Called 'Pork' and Cow Meat is Called 'Beef'

How Often Is 'Biweekly'?

Don't get us started on 'bimonthly'

video-irregardless-grammar-peeve-blend-of-the-synonyms-irrespective-and-regardless

Irregardless

It is in fact a real word (but that doesn't mean you should use it).

video-moose-goose-weird-plurals

Weird Plurals

One goose, two geese. One moose, two... moose. What's up with that?

Word Games

time-traveler-quiz-which-word-came-first

Time Traveler Quiz: Which Word Came First?

Which word entered the English language first?

Take the quiz

Name More Food!

Test your knowledge of food vocabulary!

Take the quiz

True or False?

Test your knowledge - and maybe learn something along the way.

Take the quiz

SCRABBLE® Sprint

SCRABBLE® Sprint

SCRABBLE® fans, sharpen your skills!

Play the game