villa

/ˈvɪlə/

/ˈvɪlə/

Other forms: villas

If you don't want to sound like a snob, don't describe your family's house in the country as a villa. A villa is a fancy vacation home.

Calling your weekend country house a villa will inevitably sound like you're showing off. Still, the word has been around ever since ancient Roman times to mean "country house for the elite." In Italian, villa means "country house or farm." Most villas include a large amount of land and often barns, garages, or other outbuildings as well.

Definitions of villa

1. noun

   country house in ancient Rome consisting of residential quarters and farm buildings around a courtyard
   type of:

   country house

   a house (usually large and impressive) on an estate in the country
2. noun

   pretentious and luxurious country residence with extensive grounds
   type of:

   country house

   a house (usually large and impressive) on an estate in the country
3. noun

   detached or semidetached suburban house
   type of:

   house

   a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families