mafioso

[ mah-fee-oh-soh ]

noun

, (sometimes initial capital letter)

, plural ma·fi·o·si [mah-fee-, oh, -see], ma·fi·o·sos.

1. a member of a Mafia or of a mafia.

mafioso

/ ˌmæfɪˈəʊsəʊ; mafiˈoso /

noun

1. a person belonging to the Mafia

Word History and Origins

Origin of mafioso¹

First recorded in 1870–75; from Sicilian mafiusu “arrogance, bravado,” of disputed origin; perhaps ultimately from Arabic marfūḍ “outcast” (compare archaic Italian malfusso “wretched,” archaic Spanish marfuz “deceitful, rejected”); perhaps ultimately from Arabic mahyāṣ “braggart, show-off”

Example Sentences

They have drawn at all kinds of trials, including New York mafiosos’ and Martha Stewart’s, throughout their lengthy careers.

From BBC

Hopefully, Cohen will be as successful in taking down the most powerful criminal to ever occupy the White House as Gravano was in taking down Gotti, the most powerful mafioso in U.S. history.

From Salon

He told Rice that it's "incredible hypocrisy" to hear lawyers who are willing to defend mafiosos and other shameless criminals turn their noses up to Trump.

From Salon

Turns out that betting your political career on someone who models himself after a mafioso is not a great long-term plan for security.

From Salon

Far from the stately La Scala opera house, the Opera prison on Milan’s southern edge has over 1,400 inmates, including 101 mafiosi held under a strict regime of near-total isolation.

From Seattle Times

Related Words

• bandit
• criminal
• crook
• hoodlum
• hooligan
• mobster
• racketeer
• robber
• soldier
• thug