mafioso

noun

ma·​fi·​o·​so ˌmä-fē-ˈō-(ˌ)sō How to pronounce mafioso (audio)
ˌma-,
-(ˌ)zō
plural mafiosi ˌmä-fē-ˈō-(ˌ)sē How to pronounce mafioso (audio)
ˌma-,
-(ˌ)zē
: a member of the Mafia or a mafia

Examples of mafioso in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Italian Husband is using the wedding as an excuse to bury the hatchet between his family and the rival mafiosi, apparently. Emma Specter, Vogue, 2 May 2025 But there’s a catch, a gimmick even, as De Niro stars opposite himself, playing both Frank Costello and Vito Genovese, the notorious Italian American mafiosi. Katie Walsh, Twin Cities, 21 Mar. 2025 That leads to plenty of buddy scenes, as the two very different men begin to enjoy each other’s company via such moments as having to swim to shore after being unceremoniously pushed off a ship by the threatening mafiosi. Frank Scheck, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 Sep. 2019 Using his powers, Stanley must save his love interest Tina Carlyle (Diaz) from mafioso Dorian Tyrell (Peter Greene) while evading law enforcement. Virginia Chamlee, People.com, 17 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for mafioso

Word History

Etymology

Italian, from Italian dialect (Sicily) mafiusu gallant, swaggerer, perhaps alteration of marfusu scoundrel

First Known Use

1875, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of mafioso was in 1875

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Mafioso.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mafioso. Accessed 18 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

mafioso

noun
ma·​fi·​o·​so ˌmäf-ē-ˈō-sō How to pronounce mafioso (audio)
ˌmaf-,
-zō
plural mafiosi -sē How to pronounce mafioso (audio)
-zē
: a member of the Mafia

More from Merriam-Webster on mafioso

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