What does "italian" mean?
An inhabitant of Italy or a person of Italian descent.
Italian
/ɪˈtæljən/ adj, noun
adj, noun ·Moderate ·College level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: An inhabitant of Italy or a person of Italian descent.
- Grammar: italian is listed as adj, noun.
- Nearest alternatives: architecture, art, english, from italy.
- Useful contrasts: non italian language setting, non-italian, non italian language.
- Usage evidence: How do you say that in Italian?
How to use "italian"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "italian" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "italian" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "italian" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "italian" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "italian" is acting as adj, noun in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "architecture" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "italian", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 An inhabitant of Italy or a person of Italian descent. countable
"As Di Matteo celebrated and captain John Terry raised the trophy for the fourth time, the Italian increased his claims to become the permanent successor to Andre Villas-Boas by landing a trophy."
- 2 the Romance language spoken in Italy wordnet
- 3 The official language of Italy, also spoken in San Marino, the Vatican, and parts of Argentina, Slovenia and Switzerland. uncountable
"In Occitan a stroll, una passejada, is close to the Italian passeggiata, and a reminder of what a public business it is to amble these streets."
- 4 a native or inhabitant of Italy wordnet
- 5 A style of cuisine or individual dishes of or associated with Italy or Italian people. uncountable
"Simple Cannoli, Lemon Ice, or a delicious Tira Mi Su. With so many wonderful recipes, you can eat Italian anytime."
Show 3 more definitions
- 6 Ellipsis of Italian cloth. abbreviation, alt-of, countable, ellipsis
- 7 Ellipsis of Italian vermouth, a dark-colored sweet or mildly bitter vermouth. abbreviation, alt-of, ellipsis, uncountable
"gin and Italian"
- 8 Ellipsis of Italian sandwich. Maine, abbreviation, alt-of, countable, ellipsis
Adjective
- 1 Pertaining to Italy.
"Italian borders"
- 2 Pertaining to its people or their cultures.
"Italian cuisines"
- 3 Pertaining to their language.
"Italian verbs"
- 4 Using an italic style; italic. not-comparable, obsolete
"It has been shown that there was a great disposition on the part of some German printers, especially Albert Durer, to adopt the rounded Italian type; others preferring the crisp angularity of the Gothic black-letter, even for general purposes; while for books of devotion it appears to have been deemed the more orthodox; the Italian style of type being deemed an innovation."
Adjective
- 1 of or pertaining to or characteristic of Italy or its people or culture or language wordnet
Synonyms
All synonymsAntonyms
Example
"How do you say that in Italian?"
Common questions
What is a synonym for "italian"?
Common synonyms include: architecture, art, english, from italy, group, italian apparato.
How do you use "italian" in a sentence?
How do you say that in Italian?
How do you pronounce "italian"?
Pronounced /ɪˈtæljən/.
Etymology
From Middle English Italian, from Medieval Latin Italiānus, from Latin Italia (“Italy”).