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.

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Villa ² American  

[vee-uh, vee-yah] / ˈvi ə, ˈvi yɑ /

noun

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

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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

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Villa ² British  

/ ˈviːə, ˈbiʎa /

noun

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

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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

Established in 1977, the villa became a public museum in 1990, six years after his death.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 1, 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

A new bombshell has just entered the villa.

From BBC • Mar. 28, 2026

Frightened and not knowing where to go, they hastily took cover under the steps of a villa whose owners had themselves left everything on the table and hurried off.

From Barron's • Mar. 14, 2026

The British hospital was a big villa built by Germans before the war.

From "A Farewell To Arms" by Ernest Hemingway