adj
Uncommon
Sicilian
sih-SIH-leern
Sicilian (adj) means From or relating to Sicily, the large Italian island off the toe of Italy. Example: “She cooked a rich Sicilian pasta dish with sardines and fennel.”
adj
1
From or relating to Sicily, the large Italian island off the toe of Italy.
"She cooked a rich Sicilian pasta dish with sardines and fennel."
"The film was shot in a small Sicilian fishing village."
noun
1
A person from Sicily.
"His grandparents were Sicilians who emigrated to New York in the 1950s."
2
In chess, any opening that begins 1.e4 c5, one of the most popular replies to the king's pawn opening.
"She always meets 1.e4 with the Sicilian to fight for an early advantage."
How to use Sicilian
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishRelating to the island of Sicily or its people — or, in chess, a well-known opening defence.
Common pairings
Sicilian cuisine
Sicilian Defence
a Sicilian accent
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Word forms
- Plural
- Sicilians
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She cooked a rich _____ pasta dish with sardines and fennel.
Etymology
From Latin Sicilia (Sicily) plus the adjective ending "-an".
Rhymes for Sicilian
See all rhymes for Sicilian →Frequently asked questions
What does “Sicilian” mean?
The word “Sicilian” means from or relating to Sicily, the large Italian island off the toe of Italy. In plain terms, relating to the island of Sicily or its people — or, in chess, a well-known opening defence.
How do you pronounce “Sicilian”?
“Sicilian” is pronounced sih-SIH-leern (/sɪˈsɪlɪən/ in IPA).
How do you use “Sicilian” in a sentence?
Here is “Sicilian” used in a sentence: “She cooked a rich Sicilian pasta dish with sardines and fennel.”
What part of speech is “Sicilian”?
Depending on how it is used, “Sicilian” can be an adjective and a noun.
Where does the word “Sicilian” come from?
The word “Sicilian” comes from Latin. From Latin Sicilia (Sicily) plus the adjective ending "-an".
Is “Sicilian” a common word?
“Sicilian” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “Sicilian” have?
“Sicilian” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: from or relating to Sicily, the large Italian island off the toe of Italy.
