ENGLISH
REFERENCE

vendetta

n. countable
C1 Advanced US //vɛnˈdɛtə// UK //vɛndˈɛtɐ// vendet·ta

n. a long and angry fight between two people or families. It often involves one person trying to get revenge for something that happened a long time ago.

n. a prolonged and bitter feud, often characterized by retaliatory acts of revenge. Frequently used to describe personal or political rivalries that persist over many years.


SIMPLE

The two families have been in a vendetta for decades.

CONTEXTUAL

The politician seemed to have a personal vendetta against the local newspaper after they published a critical report.

COMPLEX

What began as a minor business disagreement spiraled into a lifelong vendetta that eventually ruined both men's reputations and fortunes.

Origin

Borrowed from Italian vendetta (“revenge”), from Latin vindicta. See vindicate, avenge.

Usage

Often paired with the verbs 'carry out', 'pursue', or 'have'.

© 2026 English Reference