Words with an Italian flavour

English has borrowed words from many languages, and Italian is no exception. In each of the sentences below, see if you can identify which of the words in square brackets has made its way into the English language from Italian.

The children laughed at the funny-looking [clown] in his multi-coloured [pants]. They were having so much fun, it was a real [fiesta]!
I particularly enjoyed the [guitar] and the [leitmotif] in this [opera].
Despite a promised crackdown on vandalism, the city’s [graffiti] scene is thriving: throw-ups and [murals] dot back [alleys] and railway corridors.
Every week, the elderly man would head to the [bank] with his [beret] on his head and a [pretzel] in his pocket.
For his dinner guests, Dino served [hors d’oeuvres], pasta with [broccoli], and [baklava] for dessert.
The [ruffian] infiltrated the home and then took off with an antique painting of a [geisha] and an [icon] of Saint Nicholas.
My friend, who is a bit of a [vagabond], loves to travel abroad; last year he visited Africa, where he saw [giraffes], lions and [hyenas].
You’ll find the patient sipping [tomato] juice, convalescing under a [parasol] on the [patio].
While on their [yacht], the [couple] lived the [dolce vita].
He is an opera [aficionado] who likes to sing [a cappella] in his [caravan].

Date modified: 2020-08-25

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Words with an Italian flavour

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