Definition

1. Adjective:

   • Of or pertaining to Italy, its people, culture, or language: Describes something originating from or characteristic of Italy.
   • Characteristic of Italy or its people: Pertaining to the distinctive qualities associated with Italy.

2. Noun:

   • The Romance language spoken in Italy: The official language of Italy, also spoken in parts of Switzerland, San Marino, and Vatican City.
   • A native or inhabitant of Italy: A person who comes from Italy.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:

  • She loves Italian art and architecture. (She loves the art and architecture characteristic of Italy.)
  • We are going to an Italian restaurant tonight. (We are going to a restaurant that serves food characteristic of Italy.)

• Noun (Language):

  • He is learning Italian. (He is learning the language spoken in Italy.)
  • Can you speak Italian? (Can you speak the Romance language of Italy?)

• Noun (Person):

  • She is an Italian. (She is a native or inhabitant of Italy.)
  • The Italians are known for their passion. (The people from Italy are known for their passion.)

Advanced Usage

• "Italianate": Having an Italian style or character.

  • The garden had an Italianate design. (The garden had a design characteristic of Italy.)

• "Italianism": An Italian custom, characteristic, or idiom.

  • The phrase is an Italianism borrowed into English. (The phrase is an idiom characteristic of the Italian language.)

Variants and Related Words

• Italy (n): The European country.
• Italianize (v): To make or become Italian in character.
  • The chef Italianized the menu. (The chef made the menu characteristic of Italy.)

Synonyms

• Adjective: None that are exact. "From Italy" is a descriptive phrase.
• Noun (Person): None that are exact. "A person from Italy" is a descriptive phrase.
• Noun (Language): None.

Related Phrases

• Italian bread: A type of bread characteristic of Italy.
• Italian dressing: A salad dressing characteristic of Italian cuisine.

Related Idioms

• "All roads lead to Rome": This proverb, while referencing ancient Rome in Italy, is an English idiom meaning there are many ways to reach the same goal. It is not a direct idiom using the word "Italian."

Adjective

1. of or pertaining to or characteristic of Italy or its people or culture or language
   • Italian cooking

Noun

1. the Romance language spoken in Italy
2. a native or inhabitant of Italy