pizzaiolo

piz·za·io·lo | \ ˌpēt-sə-ˈyō-(ˌ)lō

plural pizzaiolos or pizzaioli\ ˌpēt-sə-ˈyō-lē

Definition of pizzaiolo

: a pizza maker According to one pizzaiolo ("dude who slings pizzas"), one should "always come for a pizza either before 8 pm or after 10 pm when the pizzeria is half-empty" for an optimum slice of pie.— Madison Dapcevich A16 is known for its Neapolitan-style wood-fired pizzas from certified pizzaiolo, Chef Christopher Thompson, along with other signature dishes…— Alexis Korman We chatted with some of the best pizzaioli in the country for tips on how to grill pizza in the summer, without making a mess or burning everything.— Ximena Larkin — compare pizzaiola

History and Etymology for pizzaiolo

borrowed from Italian pizzaiolo, pizzaiuolo "person who makes and sells pizzas," from pizza pizza + -aiolo, -aiuolo, suffix of occupations, from -aio, suffix of agency and appurtenance (going back to Latin -ārius -ary entry 1) + -olo, -uolo, diminutive suffix (going back to Latin -eolus, -iolus)

Note: Probably originally a word in Neapolitan dialect; cf. pizzaiòla, pizzaiuólo in Antonio Altamura, Dizionario dialettale napoletano (Naples, 1956), p. 183. The suffix, however, with loss of r in the original sequence -ri̯-, is apparently of Tuscan origin.

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about pizzaiolo

Dictionary Entries near pizzaiolo

Statistics for pizzaiolo

Cite this Entry

“Pizzaiolo.” The Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster Inc., https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pizzaiolo. Accessed 26 January 2020.