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 ).

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dolce vita British  

/ ˈdɒltʃɪ ˈviːtə, ˈdoltʃe ˈvita /

noun

1. a life of luxury

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Etymology

Origin of dolce vita

Italian, literally: sweet life

Example Sentences

Which is why the Olympic rink has been invaded by George Michael, the Backstreet Boys and enough Ricky Martin to turn Milan’s dolce vita into la vida loca.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 9, 2026

I am fortunate to be living la dolce vita here in Italy — which happens to include a genuine concern for the well being of its citizens.

From Salon • Dec. 13, 2024

The cinematic vets play a quartet of septuagenarians looking for la dolce vita in a buddy comedy that promises European-vacation set pieces, girls’ trip romps and Bergen’s punchy one-liners.

From Los Angeles Times • May 8, 2023

Dante’s opening, in 2015, coincided with a newly acute longing for la dolce vita among New Yorkers.

From New York Times • Jun. 12, 2020

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