affogato

American  

[ah-faw-gah-toh] / ˌɑ fɔˈgɑ toʊ /

noun

1. an Italian dessert of vanilla gelato with hot espresso poured over the top.

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Etymology

Origin of affogato

First recorded in 1990–95; from Italian: literally, “drowned, smothered,” past participle of affogare, from Vulgar Latin affōcāre, Latin offōcāre “to choke, throttle,” equivalent to prefix ob- + -fōcāre, verbal derivative of faucēs “throat, gullet” (plural only), with Vulgar Latin substitution of af- (from ad- ) for Latin of- (from ob- ); see origin at af- ( def. ), of- ( def. ), fauces ( def. )

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

affogato

Illy’s instant coffee is also exceptional in desserts, like chocolate cake, tiramisu, or affogato.

From Salon ● Nov. 6, 2025

You can even go so far as to drink hot honey in an affogato or espresso martini at a Starbucks Reserve, the deluxe locations where the company introduces new flavors and products.

From Seattle Times ● May 19, 2024

But most likely, this anonymous culinary magician was an actual Italian, the affogato emerging from the heady world of the great boot’s dark roasted trattorias and cafes.

From Seattle Times ● Jan. 13, 2022

However you make your affogato, it's quite possibly the best 2-ingredient treat anybody ever thought of — strong and sweet, hot and cold, perfect every time.

From Salon ● Dec. 19, 2021

But you don’t even need to use coffee in your affogato.

From New York Times ● Aug. 11, 2021

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