dolce vita

American  

[dawl-che vee-tah, dohl-chey vee-tuh] / ˈdɔl tʃɛ ˈvi tɑ, ˈdoʊl tʃeɪ ˈvi tə /

noun

Italian.

1. sweet life; the good life perceived as one of physical pleasure and self-indulgence (usually preceded byla ).

---

dolce vita British  

/ ˈdɒltʃɪ ˈviːtə, ˈdoltʃe ˈvita /

noun

1. a life of luxury

---

Etymology

Origin of dolce vita

Italian, literally: sweet life

Example Sentences

So go ahead, enjoy a little dolce vita as a treat.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 10, 2026

La dolce vita after the Cold War was sweet for some.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 13, 2026

More and more Italians were able to participate in the leisure economy, and dictates of the dolce vita were often drawn from perceptions of American lifestyles.

From Salon • Feb. 6, 2022

The allure was much the same as for tourists now: history, warmth, la dolce vita, and, for artists, a taste of creative freedom.

From New York Times • Jan. 24, 2013

Rome might be la dolce vita of vespas, but Turin is the headquarters of such dashing rides as Fiat and Alfa Romeo.

From Washington Post