martini

[ mahr-tee-nee ]

/ mɑrˈti ni /

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noun, plural mar·ti·nis.

a cocktail made with gin or vodka and dry vermouth, usually served with a green olive or a twist of lemon peel.

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His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of martini

First recorded in 1885–90; perhaps alteration of Martinez (an earlier alternate name of the drink, of disputed origin), by back formation (taking it as plural), or by association with the vermouth manufacturer Martini, Sola & Co. (later Martini & Rossi)

Words nearby martini

Martinelli, martinet, Martinez, Martínez Ruiz, martingale, martini, Martinican, Martini-Henry, Martinique, Martin IV, Martin Luther King Day

Other definitions for martini (2 of 3)

Martin I

noun

Saint, died a.d. 655, Italian ecclesiastic: pope 649–655.

Other definitions for martini (3 of 3)

Martini

[ mahr-tee-nee; Italian mahr-tee-nee ]

/ mɑrˈti ni; Italian mɑrˈti ni /

noun

Si·mo·ne

[see-maw-ne], /siˈmɔ nɛ/, 1283–1344, Italian painter.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use martini in a sentence

At Maison Premiere in Brooklyn, the house martini was prepared tableside, a choice of olives and lemon peel laid out in delicate bowls of ice.
How to garnish cocktails, now that you’re clinking glasses with friends again|M. Carrie Allan|May 21, 2021|Washington Post
He preferred carrying his own bag, making his own martinis and talking to people himself — not through memos or messengers.
The epic, unlikely love story between Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip|Michael Rosenwald|April 9, 2021|Washington Post
This drink from Jillian Vose of the Dead Rabbit in New York City melds Irish coffee with the espresso martini for an invigorating tipple.
In Irish whiskey’s resurgence, individuality reigns. Here’s how to celebrate it in cocktails.|M. Carrie Allan|March 12, 2021|Washington Post
While he perceives the area more tenderly when he goes back as an adult, it’s little wonder that he said in a late-career interview, “My idea of heaven is to settle down in a jet with a book, a notebook and a martini.”
Alfred Kazin’s “A Walker in the City” charts an intellectual awakening, block by block|Liza Weisstuch|March 4, 2021|Washington Post

No attorney was listed for Martini in Fairfax County court records.
Sex offender threatened to expose teen’s private images and videos, police say|Justin Jouvenal|October 28, 2020|Washington Post
One friend asked for a very dry martini, the other a Manhattan.
Fashion Designer Oscar de la Renta, American Great, Dead at 82|Tim Teeman|October 21, 2014|DAILY BEAST
At the end of dinner he came down and sat in front of me with a martini.
'The Knick' Star Eve Hewson on Being Bono's Daughter and Injecting Cocaine Into Clive Owen's Penis|Kevin Fallon|August 7, 2014|DAILY BEAST
After more innuendo-laden, sex-soaked back-and-forths, Eric poured a martini.
Inside True Blood’s Steamy Gay Sex Scene|Kevin Fallon|June 30, 2014|DAILY BEAST
“I was just with him at the Minetta Tavern, having a martini and a burger,” she says.
‘The Good Wife’s Christine Baranski on Life After Will Gardner’s Death|Jason Lynch|April 21, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Are there any martini glasses clinking when filming is done?
Emmys 2013: Linda Cardellini on ‘Mad Men,’ ‘Freaks and Geeks,’ and More|Marlow Stern|August 21, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Martini was on his mission to Vienna; but another valet was put into the chariot to support the Duke.
The Pastor's Fire-side Vol. 3 of 4|Jane Porter
He heard no word of Martini's; he saw nothing of his busy arrangements for their flight.
The Pastor's Fire-side Vol. 3 of 4|Jane Porter
Martini appeared from his little anti-room, with a lamp in his hand, as the prison clock struck ten.
The Pastor's Fire-side Vol. 3 of 4|Jane Porter
The unoccupied pallet of Martini lay in one corner of this miserable anti-room.
The Pastor's Fire-side Vol. 3 of 4|Jane Porter
Wharton made the bruised Martini enter also; and accompanying them himself, the voiture set off, escorted by his servants.
The Pastor's Fire-side Vol. 3 of 4|Jane Porter

British Dictionary definitions for martini (1 of 2)

Martini¹

/ (mɑːˈtiːnɪ) /

noun plural -nis

trademark an Italian vermouth

a cocktail of gin and vermouth

Word Origin for Martini

C19 (sense 2): perhaps from the name of the inventor

British Dictionary definitions for martini (2 of 2)

Martini²

/ (Italian marˈtiːni) /

noun

Simone (siˈmoːne). ?1284–1344, Sienese painter

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012