pizzaiolo

noun

piz·​za·​io·​lo ˌpēt-sə-ˈyō-(ˌ)lō How to pronounce pizzaiolo (audio)
plural pizzaiolos or pizzaioli ˌpēt-sə-ˈyō-lē How to pronounce pizzaiolo (audio)
: 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

Examples of pizzaiolo in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The mortadella pie’s seduction begins with its base, baked from a dough that Morgan developed with Anthony Falco, the pizzaiolo who made a name for himself at Roberta’s in Brooklyn before becoming a gun for hire with his own consulting firm. Tim Carman, Washington Post, 21 June 2023 With a new breed of portable ovens and an anything-goes spirit, roving pizzaiolos are turning out impressive pies at bars, breweries and events. Pete Wells, New York Times, 9 May 2023 So, about six weeks ago, the business partners reformulated their dough with a new Italian flour that has been warmly received by both the company’s pizzaiolos and loyal customers. Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Apr. 2023 The standout is Di Nando Pizzeria, whose pizzaiolo, Fernando Almeida, routinely wins awards. Ann Abel, Forbes, 21 Apr. 2023 Aaron Lindell, the chief pizzaiolo at Quarter Sheets in Echo Park, sometimes spreads Balinese-style sambal — made by sisters Celene and Tara Carrara, who run the Bungkus Bagus pop-up — as a fiery base among toppings of pepperoni, pineapple and pickled jalapeños. Bill Addison, Los Angeles Times, 13 Aug. 2022 Until recently, an aspiring pizzaiolo had no choice but to crank up their kitchen oven to the standard 450 degrees Fahrenheit. Adrienne So, Wired, 11 Aug. 2022 BurgerBob's Concessions Bottled water; chicken Philly sandwich; chicken spiedies; chicken tenders; coffee; corn dog caliente; French fries; hamburgers; hot dogs; iced tea; Italian/Polish sausage sandwich; nachos and cheese; Pepsi products; steak pizzaiolo. The Indianapolis Star, 25 July 2022 The thing is, Bucolo is a pizzaiolo. Julia Buckley, CNN, 26 Aug. 2021

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'pizzaiolo.' 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

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.

First Known Use

1930, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of pizzaiolo was in 1930

Dictionary Entries Near pizzaiolo

Cite this Entry

“Pizzaiolo.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pizzaiolo. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

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