villa
VIH-luh
Villa (noun) means a large, comfortable house in the countryside or by the coast, often used as a holiday home. Example: “Every summer, the family gathers at their villa near the sea.”
noun
1
A large, comfortable house in the countryside or by the coast, often used as a holiday home.
"Every summer, the family gathers at their villa near the sea."
"They rented a villa in Tuscany for two weeks."
"The couple dreamed of retiring to a villa overlooking the sea."
2
A detached or semi-detached house in a residential street, especially one built in a Victorian or Edwardian style.
"They bought a semi-detached villa on a quiet road near the park."
"Many of the villas on this street still have their original tiled porches."
"The suburb was lined with redbrick villas from the 1890s."
How to use villa
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA house that sounds a bit grander than an ordinary house — either a holiday home abroad or an older-style suburban house.
Common pairings
a rented villa
a seaside villa
a Victorian villa
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Word forms
- Plural
- villas, villae
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Every summer, the family gathers at their _____ near the sea.
Etymology
From Italian villa, going back to Latin vīlla, "country house."
Synonyms
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Rhymes for villa
See all rhymes for villa →Frequently asked questions
What does “villa” mean?
The word “villa” means a large, comfortable house in the countryside or by the coast, often used as a holiday home. In plain terms, a house that sounds a bit grander than an ordinary house — either a holiday home abroad or an older-style suburban house.
How do you pronounce “villa”?
“Villa” is pronounced VIH-luh (/ˈvɪlə/ in IPA).
How do you use “villa” in a sentence?
Here is “villa” used in a sentence: “They rented a villa in Tuscany for two weeks.”
What part of speech is “villa”?
“Villa” is a noun.
Where does the word “villa” come from?
The word “villa” comes from Latin. From Italian villa, going back to Latin vīlla, "country house.".
Is “villa” a common word?
“Villa” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “villa” have?
“Villa” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a large, comfortable house in the countryside or by the coast, often used as a holiday home.
What is the difference between a villa and a mansion?
A villa is a large, comfortable house, typically in the countryside or by the coast and often used as a holiday home. A mansion emphasises grandeur and size regardless of location, whereas villa carries a stronger sense of a relaxed, often rural or seaside setting.
What is the difference between a villa and a bungalow?
A bungalow is defined by being single-storey, while a villa is defined by being large and comfortable rather than by its number of floors. A villa may have one or several storeys, and in British usage it can also mean a detached or semi-detached house in a Victorian or Edwardian style.
When is a house called a villa in British English?
In British English, villa often refers to a detached or semi-detached house on a residential street, especially one built in a Victorian or Edwardian style. This meaning differs from the holiday-home sense and frequently survives in street names and older house names.
Does villa always mean a holiday home?
No. While villa commonly describes a large, comfortable house by the coast or in the countryside used as a holiday home, it also describes ordinary detached or semi-detached period houses in British usage. Context determines which sense applies.
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