provolone

American

[proh-vuh-loh-nee] / ˌproʊ vəˈloʊ ni /

noun

a mellow light-colored, Italian cheese, usually smoked after drying.

provolone British

/ ˌprəʊvəˈləʊnɪ /

noun

a mellow, pale yellow, soft, and sometimes smoked cheese, made of cows' milk: usually moulded in the shape of a pear

"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

Etymology

Origin of provolone

1945–50; < Italian, equivalent to provol ( a ) kind of cheese (of debated origin) + -one augmentative suffix

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The classic Italian hoagie—featuring a trio of meats and provolone cheese—is a fixture that ranks highly among fans.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 6, 2026

The cheese side of the pizza, laden with mozzarella, provolone and scamorza, seems to be doing a bit too much, somehow seeming more overwhelming than the slightly spicy pepperoni.

From Seattle Times • Jun. 5, 2024

How can I forget a slice of melted provolone on one side and a slice of melted mozzarella on the other?

From Salon • May 28, 2024

Lots of choices in cheeses, but my favorite is provolone, with its smooth texture and light sharpness.

From Washington Times • Sep. 21, 2023

“Let me get honey-glazed on a roll. Lettuce, tomato, mayo, provolone, sweet peppers, oil and vinegar, black pepper, meat and cheese, hot,” I rattled off like naming brothers and sisters I don’t have.

From "The Boy in the Black Suit" by Jason Reynolds

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023