mafioso

noun

ma·​fi·​o·​so ˌmä-fē-ˈō-(ˌ)sō How to pronounce mafioso (audio)
ˌma-,
-(ˌ)zō
plural mafiosi ˌmä-fē-ˈō-(ˌ)sē How to pronounce mafioso (audio)
ˌma-,
-(ˌ)zē
: a member of the Mafia or a mafia

Examples of mafioso in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Lilyhammer a fish-out-of-water series set in Lillehammer, Norway featuring ex-Sopranos star Steven Van Zandt as a mafioso on witness protection was the streamer’s first entry into the original series business. Scott Roxborough, The Hollywood Reporter, 25 Sep. 2024 But when Oz delivers his old ring—pinched from Alberto’s corpse—the mafioso is taken off guard. Erik Kain, Forbes, 20 Sep. 2024 Don Cheadle co-stars as J.D. Hudson, one of the first Black detectives in Atlanta’s police force, who was also part of Ali’s security detail; Samuel L. Jackson as Atlanta crime boss Frank Moten; Terrence Howard as Jersey mafioso Cadillac Richie; and Taraji P. Henson as a mistress to Chicken Man. Kalia Richardson, Rolling Stone, 12 Sep. 2024 Elio Germano plays Matteo, a character based on notorious Sicilian mafioso Matteo Messina Denaro who was the subject of a 30-year manhunt which only ended in 2023 when he was finally caught. Jessica Kiang, Variety, 5 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for mafioso 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'mafioso.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Italian, from Italian dialect (Sicily) mafiusu gallant, swaggerer, perhaps alteration of marfusu scoundrel

First Known Use

1875, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of mafioso was in 1875

Dictionary Entries Near mafioso

Cite this Entry

“Mafioso.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mafioso. Accessed 12 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

mafioso

noun
ma·​fi·​o·​so ˌmäf-ē-ˈō-sō How to pronounce mafioso (audio)
ˌmaf-,
-zō
plural mafiosi -sē How to pronounce mafioso (audio)
-zē
: a member of the Mafia

More from Merriam-Webster on mafioso

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