# Paolo

/ˈpaʊɫoʊ/ (US)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/paolo
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Senses

### 1. a person's name

noun · CEFR A1

a common Italian name for a man.

For teachers: A masculine given name of Italian origin, the cognate of the English name Paul.

- My friend Paolo is coming from Rome to visit us next week.
- The director Paolo Sorrentino is well-known for his visually stunning films that explore modern Italian society.

### 2. historical coin

noun · CEFR C2 · Archaic

a silver coin used in Italy a long time ago.

For teachers: A historical silver coin formerly used in various Italian states, particularly the Papal States and Tuscany.

- The museum has a collection of old coins, including a silver paolo.
- Numismatists often seek out the paolo for its intricate engravings, which reflect the political shifts of eighteenth-century Tuscany.

## Examples

- My friend Paolo lives in Rome.
- The restaurant is named after Paolo, the head chef who founded it in 1995.
- During the Renaissance, several influential figures named Paolo contributed significantly to the arts and sciences in the Italian city-states.

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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.