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Definition of mafioso

mafioso

/ˌmɑːfiˈoʊsoʊ/
ma · fi · o · so
Plural:mafiosi
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mafioso Lexical Profile

mafioso Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

A member of the Sicilian or Italian-American Mafia, or by extension, a member of any similar organized crime syndicate.

Example

"The historical documentary examined how a prominent mafioso rose to power during the Prohibition era."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for mafioso

Word Nuance & Usage

When capitalized as 'Mafioso,' the term refers specifically to a member of the Italian or Sicilian Mafia; in lowercase, it can refer more broadly to a member of any organized crime syndicate. In English, both the Italian plural 'mafiosi' and the regularized 'mafiosos' are widely accepted.

• Rhymes for mafioso

• Nearby Words

maelstrom
maestro
mafia
mafioso
mag
maga
magazine

Word Origin & Etymology

Borrowed in the late 19th century from Italian 'mafioso', a derivative of Sicilian 'mafiusu' (meaning bold, swaggering, or arrogant), which ultimately traces back to Arabic 'mahyas' (aggressive boasting).

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Mafioso. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/mafioso
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