villa

¹ American  

[vil-uh] / ˈvɪl ə /

noun

1. a country residence or estate.

2. any imposing or pretentious residence, especially one in the country or suburbs maintained as a retreat by a wealthy person.

3. British. a detached or semidetached dwelling house, usually suburban.

---

Villa ² American  

[vee-uh, vee-yah] / ˈvi ə, ˈvi yɑ /

noun

1. Francisco Doroteo ArangoPancho Villa, 1877–1923, Mexican general and revolutionist.

---

villa ¹ British  

/ ˈvɪlə /

noun

1. (in ancient Rome) a country house, usually consisting of farm buildings and residential quarters around a courtyard

2. a large and usually luxurious country residence

3. a detached or semidetached suburban house

4. a medium-sized suburban house standing in its own grounds

---

Villa ² British  

/ ˈviːə, ˈbiʎa /

noun

1. Francisco (franˈsisko), called Pancho Villa, original name Doroteo Arango. ?1877–1923, Mexican revolutionary leader

---

Other Word Forms

• villa-like adjective
• villalike adjective

Etymology

Origin of villa

1605–15; (< Italian ) < Latin vīlla a country house, farm, akin to vīcus village, wick ³

Example Sentences

You can call one of them like an Italian villa, and then there’s a couple other ones that are near the water that are going to be more modern.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 3, 2026

At their home, a large one-story villa off a dirt road leading to the town’s main street, Scott introduces me to a lifestyle designed to promote wellness.

From Slate • Mar. 30, 2026

It is loosely based on the original “Love Island” reality series, where singles compete for love and money at a secluded villa.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 27, 2026

Hungarian leader Viktor Orban's officially declared wealth is fairly modest: some savings and a jointly owned villa in Budapest.

From Barron's • Mar. 27, 2026

At dinner I ate very quickly and left for the villa where the British had their hospital.

From "A Farewell To Arms" by Ernest Hemingway