# Italian

/ˌɪˈtæɫjən/ (US)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/italian
Updated: 2026-08-08

## Senses

### 1. related to Italy

adjective · CEFR A1

coming from or related to Italy, its people, or its culture.

For teachers: relating to Italy, its inhabitants, or their culture.

- We went to a wonderful Italian restaurant for my birthday dinner.
- The exhibition showcases Italian Renaissance art, focusing on the technical innovations of Florentine painters during the fifteenth century.

Usage: Always capitalized in written English.

### 2. the language

noun · CEFR A1

the language that people speak in Italy.

For teachers: the Romance language spoken primarily in Italy, San Marino, and parts of Switzerland.

- She is learning Italian because she wants to move to Rome next year.
- While he was fluent in Spanish, he found the melodic cadence of Italian quite different to master.

Usage: Uncountable when referring to the language.

### 3. a person

noun · CEFR A1

a person who comes from Italy.

For teachers: a native or inhabitant of Italy, or a person of Italian descent.

- My neighbor is an Italian who moved here ten years ago.
- The club was founded by a group of Italians who wanted to preserve their culinary traditions in the new city.

Usage: Countable noun.

### 4. a sandwich

noun · CEFR B2 · American English · Dialect · Informal

a type of long sandwich filled with meats, cheese, and vegetables.

For teachers: a regional term for a submarine-style sandwich, typically containing ham, cheese, and vegetables.

- I grabbed an Italian for lunch at the local deli.
- In certain parts of New England, ordering an 'Italian' specifically implies a sandwich served on a long crusty roll with oil and pickles.

Usage: Commonly used as an ellipsis for 'Italian sandwich' in specific US regions like Maine.

## Examples

- She is an Italian who moved to London last year.
- The restaurant is owned by an Italian who insists on importing all the cheese directly from his hometown in Tuscany.
- While many people learn the language for travel, studying Italian provides a deeper window into the Renaissance texts and operatic traditions that shaped much of Western European culture.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.