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noun Uncommon

vendetta

vehn-DEH-tuh

Vendetta (noun) means a long-running, bitter feud driven by a desire for revenge, often passed down between families or groups. Example: “The two families had been locked in a vendetta for three generations.”

noun
1
A long-running, bitter feud driven by a desire for revenge, often passed down between families or groups.
"The two families had been locked in a vendetta for three generations."
"What started as a business dispute turned into a personal vendetta."

How to use vendetta

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA grudge or feud pursued out of a determination to get revenge, often lasting far longer than the original offence would seem to justify.

Common pairings
a personal vendetta pursue a vendetta have a vendetta against someone

Word forms

vendettas plural, vendette plural

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Fill the gap

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The two families had been locked in a _____ for three generations.

Etymology

Borrowed from Italian vendetta ("revenge"), from Latin vindicta — the same root as "vindicate" and "avenge".

Origin: Latin

blood feud

Rhymes for vendetta

See all rhymes for vendetta →

Frequently asked questions

What does “vendetta” mean?

The word “vendetta” means a long-running, bitter feud driven by a desire for revenge, often passed down between families or groups. In plain terms, a grudge or feud pursued out of a determination to get revenge, often lasting far longer than the original offence would seem to justify.

How do you pronounce “vendetta”?

“Vendetta” is pronounced vehn-DEH-tuh ([vɛnˈdɛɾə] in IPA).

How do you use “vendetta” in a sentence?

Here is “vendetta” used in a sentence: “The two families had been locked in a vendetta for three generations.”

What part of speech is “vendetta”?

“Vendetta” is a noun.

Where does the word “vendetta” come from?

The word “vendetta” comes from Latin. Borrowed from Italian vendetta ("revenge"), from Latin vindicta — the same root as "vindicate" and "avenge".

Is “vendetta” a common word?

“Vendetta” is an uncommon word in modern English.

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