Genoese

American  

[jen-oh-eez, -ees] / ˌdʒɛn oʊˈiz, -ˈis /

Also Genovese

adjective

1. of, relating to, or characteristic of Genoa or its inhabitants.

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noun

plural

Genoese

1. a native or inhabitant of Genoa.

2. 1. Ligurian.

   2. the dialect of Ligurian spoken in Genoa.

Genoese British  

/ ˌdʒɛnəˈviːz, ˌdʒɛnəʊˈiːz /

noun

1. a native or inhabitant of Genoa

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adjective

1. of or relating to Genoa or its inhabitants

Etymology

Origin of Genoese

First recorded in 1545–55; Geno(a) ( def. ) + -ese ( def. )

Example Sentences

Far from being unique or “a heroic visionary,” Columbus was a typical merchant-seafarer of his time, combining the energies of a Genoese mercantile chancer with the drive of a man who wanted to get rich.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 2, 2026

Little shows this more than the club's nickname 'Xeneize', which comes from the Ligurian dialect word for Genoese.

From BBC • Apr. 27, 2025

From pesto to focaccia, Genoese street food has certainly left its mark on the world.

From National Geographic • Apr. 17, 2023

She is in love with a Genoese nobleman, Enzo, who is disguised as a sea captain; he in turn loves Laura, who has been forced to marry a leader of the Inquisition.

From New York Times • Jun. 8, 2022

The Genoese fled Kaffa, leaving it open to the Tartars.

From "1491" by Charles C. Mann