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

But Vale was charged anew in the evolving racketeering case in Miami in 2024 — though that indictment was filed under seal — when he was accused of alien smuggling and kidnapping as part of the Cuban Mafia’s operations in Quintana Roo. —Jay Weaver may 14, Miami Herald, 14 May 2026

Tommaso Buscetta Tommaso Buscetta was a Sicilian Mafia soldier who broke omertà and cooperated with state authorities. —Encyclopedia Britannica, 13 May 2026

What at first seems like a dream job, quickly turns south, as the firm’s Mafia connections become apparent. —Melinda Salchert, Southern Living, 10 May 2026

Gray’s crime thriller stars Adam Driver, Scarlett Johansson, and Miles Teller in a story about two brothers striving to achieve the American Dream only to get caught up with the Russian Mafia. —Brian Welk, IndieWire, 7 May 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), population 16,748