villa

¹

[vil-uh]

noun

1. a country residence or estate.

2. any imposing or pretentious residence, especially one in the country or suburbs maintained as a retreat by a wealthy person.

3. British.,  a detached or semidetached dwelling house, usually suburban.

Villa

²

[vee-uh, vee-yah]

noun

1. Francisco Doroteo ArangoPancho Villa, 1877–1923, Mexican general and revolutionist.

villa

¹

/ ˈvɪlə /

noun

1. (in ancient Rome) a country house, usually consisting of farm buildings and residential quarters around a courtyard

2. a large and usually luxurious country residence

3. a detached or semidetached suburban house

4. a medium-sized suburban house standing in its own grounds

Villa

²

/ ˈviːə, ˈbiʎa /

noun

1. Francisco (franˈsisko), called Pancho Villa, original name Doroteo Arango. ?1877–1923, Mexican revolutionary leader

Other Word Forms

• villalike adjective
• villa-like adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of villa¹

1605–15; (< Italian ) < Latin vīlla a country house, farm, akin to vīcus village, wick ³

Word History and Origins

Origin of villa¹

C17: via Italian from Latin; related to Latin vīcus a village

Example Sentences

Greta had been living in Hoi An with Arno, her South African partner of about two years, where the couple ran a villa renting out rooms to travellers.

From BBC

His next project was Much Ado About Nothing, a masterpiece, set in an Italian villa with his then partner Emma Thomson playing Beatrice joyfully to his Benedick.

From BBC

In a neighbourhood close to the scene of the attack - where plush villas and foreign embassies sit behind high walls, topped with bougainvillea - the streets lay empty.

From BBC

On 3rd October last year, as Khalil al-Hayya walked into the venue for our meeting in a modest, low-rise villa, I was surprised that he had so little security.

From BBC

Luxury hotels, villas and shopping bazaars are under construction there.

From BBC