noun
Uncommon
Mafia
MA-fee-uh
Mafia (noun) means an organized crime syndicate built on secrecy, hierarchy, and intimidation, especially (capitalized) the Sicilian and Italian-American criminal network. Example: “The film follows a young man drawn into the mafia in 1950s New York.”
noun
1
An organized crime syndicate built on secrecy, hierarchy, and intimidation, especially (capitalized) the Sicilian and Italian-American criminal network.
"The film follows a young man drawn into the mafia in 1950s New York."
"Police say the drug ring was run like a small mafia, complete with its own code of silence."
2
Informally, any tightly-knit group seen as controlling something through influence or pressure rather than crime.
"Locals joked about the "school run mafia," the clique of parents who ran every fundraiser."
3
A social deduction party game in which secretly assigned "mafia" players try to eliminate the rest of the group without being identified.
"We stayed up until 2am playing Mafia after dinner."
How to use Mafia
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA secretive criminal organization — or, jokingly, any powerful clique that seems to run things behind the scenes.
Common pairings
organized crime mafia
mafia boss
mafia family
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Word forms
- Plural
- mafias
Fill the gap
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The film follows a young man drawn into the _____ in 1950s New York.
Etymology
From Italian mafia, of disputed origin, most likely tied to 19th-century Sicilian dialect.
Class of 1800
Mafia joined the language around 1800.
See the full Class of 1800 →
Synonyms
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Rhymes for Mafia
See all rhymes for Mafia →Frequently asked questions
What does “Mafia” mean?
The word “Mafia” means an organized crime syndicate built on secrecy, hierarchy, and intimidation, especially (capitalized) the Sicilian and Italian-American criminal network. In plain terms, a secretive criminal organization — or, jokingly, any powerful clique that seems to run things behind the scenes.
How do you pronounce “Mafia”?
“Mafia” is pronounced MA-fee-uh (/ˈmɑfi.ə/ in IPA).
How do you use “Mafia” in a sentence?
Here is “Mafia” used in a sentence: “The film follows a young man drawn into the mafia in 1950s New York.”
What part of speech is “Mafia”?
“Mafia” is a noun.
Where does the word “Mafia” come from?
The word “Mafia” dates back to around 1800 and comes from Italian. From Italian mafia, of disputed origin, most likely tied to 19th-century Sicilian dialect.
Is “Mafia” a common word?
“Mafia” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “Mafia” have?
“Mafia” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: an organized crime syndicate built on secrecy, hierarchy, and intimidation, especially (capitalized) the Sicilian and Italian-American criminal network.
What is the difference between the Mafia and organized crime in general?
The Mafia specifically refers to an organized crime syndicate built on secrecy, hierarchy, and intimidation, especially the Sicilian and Italian-American criminal network. Organized crime is a broader term covering any structured criminal enterprise, of which the Mafia is one well-known example.
How is mafia used informally outside of organized crime?
Informally, mafia can describe any tightly-knit group perceived as controlling something through influence or pressure rather than actual crime, such as a 'tech mafia' dominating an industry. This usage is figurative and does not imply criminal activity.
What is the game Mafia?
Mafia is a social deduction party game in which players secretly assigned as 'mafia' try to eliminate the rest of the group without being identified. Other players must use discussion and deduction to figure out who among them is secretly working against the group.
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