Italian

comparative more Italian · superlative most Italian

1. Pertaining to Italy.

   Italian borders

2. Pertaining to its people or their cultures.

   Italian cuisines

3. Pertaining to their language.

   Italian verbs

4. not comparableobsoleteUsing an italic style; italic.

   1 more example

   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.

   1868, Henry Noel Humphreys, A History of the Art of Printing, page 175

plural Italians

1. countableA person from Italy or of Italian descent.

   A tour group of Italians is visiting Westminster Cathedral today.

   1 more example

   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.

   2012 May 5, Phil McNulty, “Chelsea 2-1 Liverpool”, in BBC Sport

   Synonyms: dago, Eyetie, Itie, goombah, greaseball, guido, guinea, macaroni

2. uncountablecookingA style of cuisine or individual dishes of or associated with Italy or Italian people.

   A: What's for dinner tonight? B: I don't know about you, but I'm ready for some Italian tonight!

   1 more example

   Simple Cannoli, Lemon Ice, or a delicious Tira Mi Su. With so many wonderful recipes, you can eat Italian anytime.

   1995, Betty Crocker's New Italian Cooking, page 5

3. abbreviationcountableellipsisbusinessEllipsis of Italian cloth.

   They bought a bolt of the finest Italian that can be had this side of Italy.

4. abbreviationellipsisuncountableEllipsis of Italian vermouth, a dark-colored sweet or mildly bitter vermouth.

   gin and Italian

   1 more example

   So the English women would have been interested in American drinks, and in came the gin-and-Italian, for example.

   1971, John Doxat, The World of Drinks and Drinking, page 102

5. abbreviationcountableellipsisuncountableEllipsis of Italian bread.

   Can I please get a meatball sub on Italian? Thank you!

6. MaineabbreviationcountableellipsisEllipsis of Italian sandwich.

   Can I please get an Italian and a beer? Thank you!

1. The official language of Italy, also spoken in San Marino, the Vatican, and parts of Argentina, Slovenia and Switzerland; various varieties (dialects) exist.

   The tour group asked their questions in Italian, and their tour guide translated.

   1 more example

   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.

   2024 July 20, Fiona Sampson, “The other Dordogne: exploring France’s unspoiled Périgord region”, in The Guardian, →ISSN, archived from the original on 16 Sep 2024