Mafia

noun

Ma·​fia ˈmä-fē-ə  ˈma- 

1

a

: a secret criminal society of Sicily or Italy

b

: a similarly conceived criminal organization in the U.S.

also : a similar organization elsewhere

the Japanese Mafia

c

: a criminal organization associated with a particular traffic

the cocaine Mafia

2

often mafia : a group of people likened to the Mafia

especially : a group of people of similar interests or backgrounds prominent in a particular field or enterprise : clique

Synonyms of Mafia

• gang
• syndicate
• conspiracy
• mob
• clan
• network

Examples of Mafia in a Sentence

a member of the Mafia

He's an important figure in the television mafia.

Recent Examples on the Web

After Memphis' own Three 6 Mafia took home the Oscar for best original song in 2006, Parton sent them a congratulatory letter, according to member DJ Paul per The Hollywood Reporter. — Taylor Ardrey, USA Today, 26 Aug. 2026

Also called La Eme, the Mexican Mafia is a group of about 140 men who oversee Latino gang members behind bars and on the streets of Southern California. — Matthew Ormseth, Los Angeles Times, 26 Aug. 2026

While scouting for an HBO series, Kipe heard about the Dixie Mafia, a loose federation of criminals who wreaked havoc throughout the Southeast from the 1960s through the 1980s. — Rodney Ho, AJC.com, 19 Aug. 2026

Several members of Maranzano’s faction had formerly served in the Sicilian Mafia and the Neapolitan Camorra. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 18 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Mafia, Maffia, a Sicilian secret criminal society, from Italian dialect (Sicily), probably from mafiusu

First Known Use

1866, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing Mafia

• the Mafia

Rhymes for Mafia

• coffea

Kids Definition

Mafia

noun

Ma·​fia ˈmäf-ē-ə 

ˈmaf-

1

: a secret criminal society of Sicily or Italy

2

: a similar criminal organization in the U.S. or elsewhere

Geographical Definition

Mafia

geographical name

Ma·​fia ˈmä-fē-ə  ˈma- 

island of Tanzania in the Indian Ocean south of Zanzibar area 170 square miles (442 square kilometers)