noun
Vespa
Vespa (noun) means an Italian brand of motor scooter, known for its rounded, retro design. Example: “They rode a Vespa through the narrow streets of Rome.”
noun
1
An Italian brand of motor scooter, known for its rounded, retro design.
"In 1967, members of the traffic unit provide a funeral escort riding Vespa police model motor scooters. The Vespa scooter had the ability to cruise at speeds from 2 miles per hour to 65 miles per hour."
— David J. Degou, Cambridge Police Department (2009)
"They rode a Vespa through the narrow streets of Rome."
"Her 40-year-old Vespa was waiting in the yard under a custom-made cover."
— Henning Mankell, translated by Ebba Segerberg (2004)
How to use Vespa
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA classic Italian scooter brand, now used loosely for that type of scooter in general.
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Word forms
- Plural
- Vespas
Fill the gap
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They rode a _____ through the narrow streets of Rome.
Etymology
From Italian vespa, "wasp" — the scooter's designer thought its body and buzzing engine resembled the insect.
Frequently asked questions
What does “Vespa” mean?
The word “Vespa” means an Italian brand of motor scooter, known for its rounded, retro design. In plain terms, a classic Italian scooter brand, now used loosely for that type of scooter in general.
How do you use “Vespa” in a sentence?
Here is “Vespa” used in a sentence: “They rode a Vespa through the narrow streets of Rome.”
What part of speech is “Vespa”?
“Vespa” is a noun.
Where does the word “Vespa” come from?
The word “Vespa” comes from Italian. From Italian vespa, "wasp" — the scooter's designer thought its body and buzzing engine resembled the insect.
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