Mafioso: meaning, definitions and examples

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mafioso

 

[ หŒmรฆfiหˆoสŠsoสŠ ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

crime

A member of the Mafia, a secret criminal organization in Italy and the United States.

Synonyms

criminal, gangster, mobster.

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Word Description / Examples
mafioso

This term is used specifically to describe a member of the Mafia, an organized crime syndicate of Sicilian or Italian origin. It can carry both a historical and cultural context.

  • 'The police arrested a notorious mafioso in Sicily
  • ' 'He claimed to have connections with powerful mafioso figures
  • '
gangster

This term is commonly used to describe a member of an organized crime group or gang. It can refer to any period in history but is often associated with the early 20th century in the United States.

  • 'The movie is about a gangster who rises to power in the 1920s
  • ' 'He dressed like a classic gangster from an old movie
  • '
mobster

This term is similar to 'gangster' but specifically refers to members of a mob or organized crime group. It is often used in the context of American crime organizations from the mid-20th century.

  • 'The notorious mobster was finally brought to justice
  • ' 'He lived his life like a mobster, always looking over his shoulder
  • '
criminal

This is a general term for someone who commits crimes. It is used in a wide range of contexts, from minor offenses to serious crimes.

  • 'The police captured the criminal after a long chase
  • ' 'Everyone knew he was a hardened criminal, but no one had any proof
  • '

Examples of usage

  • The mafioso was known for his ruthless tactics in the crime world.
  • The police are trying to dismantle the mafioso network in the city.
Context #2 | Noun

informal

A person who behaves in a ruthless or tyrannical manner, especially in a group or organization.

Synonyms

bully, despot, tyrant.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
mafioso

This word describes a member of a mafia organization and is best used in contexts related to crime, organized crime syndicates, and illegal activities.

  • The investigation revealed that several high-profile politicians had ties to the local mafioso
bully

Use this term when referring to someone who habitually seeks to harm or intimidate those whom they perceive as vulnerable. It can be used in various settings, including schools, workplaces, or personal relationships.

  • The school implemented strict policies to prevent any student from becoming a victim of a bully
tyrant

Similar to 'despot,' this word refers to a cruel and oppressive ruler but can be used more broadly to describe any leader or authoritative figure who abuses their power. The term has a strong negative connotation.

  • The citizens finally rebelled against the tyrant who had made their lives miserable for decades
despot

This is typically used to describe a ruler or person in power who exercises their authority in a cruel or oppressive way. The term is often associated with historical contexts or discussions about governance.

  • History remembers him as a despot who ruled with an iron fist, leaving no room for dissent

Examples of usage

  • The manager was seen as a mafioso, using fear to control his employees.
  • He ruled the company like a mafioso, making all the decisions without consulting others.

Translations

Translations of the word "mafioso" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น mafioso

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เคฎเคพเฅžเคฟเคฏเคพ เคธเคฆเคธเฅเคฏ

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช Mafioso

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ mafioso

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ะผะฐั„ั–ะพะทั–

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ mafioso

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ใƒžใƒ•ใ‚ฃใ‚ขใฎไธ€ๅ“ก

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท mafioso

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ mafioso

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท mafya รผyesi

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ๋งˆํ”ผ์•„ ์ผ์›

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ุนุถูˆ ููŠ ุงู„ู…ุงููŠุง

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ mafioso

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ mafioso

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ้ป‘ๅธฎๆˆๅ‘˜

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ mafioso

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ mafรญรณsi

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ะผะฐั„ะธั ะผาฏัˆะตัั–

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒ›แƒแƒคแƒ˜แƒแƒ–แƒ˜

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ mafioso

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ mafioso

Etymology

The term 'mafioso' originated from the Sicilian Mafia, a criminal syndicate that emerged in the mid-19th century in Sicily, Italy. The word 'mafioso' is derived from 'Mafia', which is believed to have roots in the Arabic word 'mahyas', meaning 'aggressive boasting'. The Mafia expanded its influence to the United States, particularly in the early 20th century, leading to the rise of organized crime networks in cities like New York and Chicago.

Word Frequency Rank

At position #40,097, this word is among the less frequently used terms in English. While interesting to know, it's not crucial for most English learners unless needed for specific purposes.