Venetian

American  

[vuh-nee-shuhn] / vəˈni ʃən /

adjective

1. of or relating to Venice or its inhabitants.

2. pertaining to or designating a style of painting developed in Venice principally during the 15th and 16th centuries, characterized chiefly by rich, often warm colors and the illusion of deep space.

3. in or in imitation of the style typical of Venice.

   Venetian architecture.

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noun

1. a native or inhabitant of Venice.

2. (lowercase) venetian blind.

3. venetians, a tape or braid for supporting the slats of a venetian blind.

4. Also called Venetian cloth.  Textiles.

   1. a wool or worsted fabric made in satin or twill weave and sometimes napped, used in the manufacture of lightweight coats, suits, skirts, and dresses.

   2. a cotton fabric constructed in satin or twill weave, used chiefly for linings.

Venetian British  

/ vɪˈniːʃən /

adjective

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

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noun

1. a native or inhabitant of Venice

2. See Venetian blind

3. (sometimes not capital) one of the tapes that join the slats of a Venetian blind

4. a cotton or woollen cloth used for linings

Other Word Forms

• non-Venetian
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of Venetian

1400–50; < Medieval Latin Venetiānus, equivalent to Veneti ( a ) Venice + Latin -ānus -an; replacing Middle English Venicien < Middle French

Example Sentences

While hailing a teak-paneled water taxi to the airport is a uniquely Venetian experience, it’s also a pricey one, generally topping $150 for the same airport run that Alilaguna’s water buses do for about $20.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 2, 2026

In a trip in November 2013 to Vincenzo Caffarella, a decorative arts and antiques shop in London, £170,000 was allegedly spent on a "vast amount of property" including Venetian lamps and vases.

From BBC • Apr. 28, 2026

Then in 2025, after celebrating the 20-year anniversary of her breakout album release with a short gig at a WeHo nightclub the year prior, she announced a residency at the Venetian in Las Vegas.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 2, 2026

Members of Venetian Blinds say they aren’t savants and don’t have photographic memories.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 1, 2026

Once my bed is flat and as low as it will go, I roll onto my side and stare out the Venetian blinds at the blue sky beyond.

From "Water for Elephants" by Sara Gruen