pizzeria: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
MediumNeutral to informal
Quick answer
What does “pizzeria” mean?
A restaurant that specializes in making and serving pizzas.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A restaurant that specializes in making and serving pizzas.
An establishment, often casual and focused on a specific style or region of pizza, where pizza is the primary menu item, sometimes with a limited selection of Italian-American dishes.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Used in both varieties without significant differences in meaning. In the UK, 'pizza restaurant' is a common alternative. In the US, 'pizzeria' is the dominant, more specific term.
Connotations
Generally neutral. In the US, it may connote a more authentic or traditional pizza-making style compared to a fast-food pizza chain. In the UK, it can carry a slight 'borrowed' or 'ethnic' flavour, but is fully naturalized.
Frequency
More common in American English; British English speakers are equally likely to use 'pizza place' or 'pizza restaurant'.
Grammar
How to Use “pizzeria” in a Sentence
at/in + the + pizzeriapizzeria + specializing in + typepizzeria + called/named + nameVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “pizzeria” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- Not applicable.
American English
- Not applicable.
adverb
British English
- Not applicable.
American English
- Not applicable.
adjective
British English
- Not applicable.
American English
- Not applicable.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
A new pizzeria is opening on the high street, hoping to capitalise on the trend for artisanal sourdough bases.
Academic
The study examined the socio-economic impact of immigrant-run pizzerias in urban neighbourhoods.
Everyday
Let's just grab a quick pizza at that new pizzeria on the corner.
Technical
The commercial pizzeria oven must reach a temperature of at least 400°C for authentic Neapolitan pizza.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “pizzeria”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “pizzeria”
- Using 'pizzeria' for a fast-food pizza chain like Domino's (possible but less typical).
- Confusing 'pizzeria' (a place) with 'pizza' (the food).
- Misspelling as 'pizerria' or 'pizzarea'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, it is a fully naturalised loanword from Italian, used in English since the 1940s. It is found in all major English dictionaries.
A pizzeria's menu is focused predominantly on pizza, often with a limited selection of sides and pastas. A general Italian restaurant offers a much wider variety of courses (antipasti, primi, secondi) where pizza may be just one option.
In both British and American English, it is commonly pronounced /ˌpiːt.səˈriː.ə/, with the stress on the 'ri' syllable. The 'zz' is pronounced like 'ts'.
Yes, though terms like 'pizza shop' or 'pizza takeaway' are also common. 'Pizzeria' can encompass both sit-down and takeaway establishments, as long as pizza is the core product.
A restaurant that specializes in making and serving pizzas.
Pizzeria is usually neutral to informal in register.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: PIZZA + CAFE (but with '-eria' ending). A place that serves primarily PIZZA.
Conceptual Metaphor
A PIZZERIA IS A HUB/CENTRE (for casual social gatherings and quick meals).
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following best describes a 'pizzeria'?