villa
- 01 B1 Intermediate
a large house, often in a warm country, where people stay for a holiday.
a large, often luxurious country or coastal residence, typically used as a retreat or holiday home.
Simple“We rented a beautiful villa with a private pool for our summer holiday in Spain.”
In context“The family spent their summers at a secluded villa on the Tuscan coast, away from the noise of the city.”
- 02 B2 Upper Intermediate
a type of middle-class house in the UK, often built in the 19th or early 20th century.
a suburban or semi-detached house, typically of Victorian or Edwardian architecture, situated in a middle-class residential area.
Simple“They live in a Victorian villa on a quiet street in North London.”
In context“The street was lined with red-brick villas, many of which had been converted into smaller apartments over the years.”
- 03 C1 Advanced
a large country house in Ancient Rome that often had a farm attached to it.
a rural estate in Ancient Rome, typically consisting of a main residence and surrounding farm buildings.
Simple“The archaeologists discovered the ruins of an ancient Roman villa near the coast.”
In context“Excavations revealed that the villa was a significant agricultural hub, complete with olive presses and extensive storage rooms.”
- 04 C2 Proficiency
a person's home village or the place where their family comes from.
a person's village of origin or ancestral homeland.
Simple“He travels back to the villa every December to see his extended family.”
In context“Many city dwellers maintain strong ties to the villa, returning for significant cultural festivals and family gatherings.”
Teacher's tipThis sense is specific to Nigerian English; in other regions, 'villa' only refers to a large house.