name
Very common
Italy
IH-tuh-lihy
Italy (name) means a country in Southern Europe shaped like a boot, known for its history, art, and cuisine. Capital: Rome. Example: “They travelled through Italy, visiting Rome, Florence, and Venice.”
name
1
A country in Southern Europe shaped like a boot, known for its history, art, and cuisine. Capital: Rome.
"They travelled through Italy, visiting Rome, Florence, and Venice."
"Serie A club Inter Milan – whom Eriksen had been contracted to at the time of the incident – let the midfielder move abroad as he was unable to play in Italy unless the ICD device was removed."
— Ben Church, How Christian Eriksen returned to football after suffering cardiac arrest on pitch (2023)
How to use Italy
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe southern European country famous for its food, art, and ancient history.
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They travelled through _____, visiting Rome, Florence, and Venice.
Etymology
From Old English Italia, from Latin Italia, possibly related to an Oscan word for "calf," suggesting "land of young bulls."
Synonyms
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Italian Republic
Italia
Related words
Rhymes for Italy
See all rhymes for Italy →Frequently asked questions
What does “Italy” mean?
The word “Italy” means a country in Southern Europe shaped like a boot, known for its history, art, and cuisine. Capital: Rome. In plain terms, the southern European country famous for its food, art, and ancient history.
How do you pronounce “Italy”?
“Italy” is pronounced IH-tuh-lihy ([ˈɪ.ɾə.li] in IPA).
How do you use “Italy” in a sentence?
Here is “Italy” used in a sentence: “They travelled through Italy, visiting Rome, Florence, and Venice.”
What part of speech is “Italy”?
“Italy” is a name.
Where does the word “Italy” come from?
The word “Italy” comes from Latin. From Old English Italia, from Latin Italia, possibly related to an Oscan word for "calf," suggesting "land of young bulls.".
Is “Italy” a common word?
“Italy” is a very common word in modern English.
Why is Italy shaped like a boot?
Italy's long, narrow peninsula reaches into the Mediterranean Sea in a shape that resembles a high-heeled boot, with a toe in the south and a heel on the southeast coast. The island of Sicily, off the toe, even looks like a football the boot is about to kick.
What is the capital of Italy?
The capital of Italy is Rome, in the central part of the country. Rome is also its largest city and was the heart of the ancient Roman Empire. Vatican City, the seat of the Roman Catholic Church, sits as an independent enclave entirely within Rome.
What is Italy known for?
Italy is famous for its deep history, from the Roman Empire to the Renaissance, and for artistic treasures by masters such as Michelangelo and Leonardo da Vinci. It is equally celebrated for its cuisine, including pasta, pizza, and coffee, as well as fashion, design, and landmarks like the Colosseum.
What language is spoken in Italy?
The official language of Italy is Italian, a Romance language descended from Latin. Many regional dialects and some minority languages are also spoken across the country. The word Italian describes the people, language, and culture of Italy, whose capital city is Rome.
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