Mafia

noun

Ma·​fia ˈmä-fē-ə How to pronounce Mafia (audio)
ˈma-
Synonyms of Mafianext
1
a
: a secret criminal society of Sicily or Italy
b
: a similarly conceived criminal organization in the U.S.
also : a similar organization elsewhere
the Japanese Mafia
c
: a criminal organization associated with a particular traffic
the cocaine Mafia
2
often mafia : a group of people likened to the Mafia
especially : a group of people of similar interests or backgrounds prominent in a particular field or enterprise : clique

Synonyms of Mafia

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Examples of Mafia in a Sentence

a member of the Mafia He's an important figure in the television mafia.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Thus far, her ‘Born In Blood Mafia Chronicles’ comprises eight novels and an anthology. — Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 5 Aug. 2026 Keyboardist Melvin Seals and the Jerry Garcia Band will perform with members of Jazz Mafia band, along with Stu Allen and Mars Hotel. — Randy McMullen, Mercury News, 30 July 2026 It is believed that the Detroit Mafia kidnapped and killed him to stop his efforts to take back the union. — Eric Shawn, FOXNews.com, 30 July 2026 Deon Cole stars as plumber Joe Washington, who lives a happy life with his family until his father dies and Joe learns that his dad had been working for the Russian Mafia and owed them $10 million. — K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 30 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for Mafia

Word History

Etymology

Mafia, Maffia, a Sicilian secret criminal society, from Italian dialect (Sicily), probably from mafiusu

First Known Use

1866, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of Mafia was in 1866

Phrases Containing Mafia

Rhymes for Mafia

See All Rhymes for Mafia

Browse Nearby Words

maffle
Mafia
mafic
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Mafia.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Mafia. Accessed 7 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

Mafia

noun
Ma·​fia ˈmäf-ē-ə How to pronounce Mafia (audio)
ˈmaf-
1
: a secret criminal society of Sicily or Italy
2
: a similar criminal organization in the U.S. or elsewhere

Geographical Definition

Mafia

geographical name

Ma·​fia ˈmä-fē-ə How to pronounce Mafia (audio)
ˈma-
island of Tanzania in the Indian Ocean south of Zanzibar area 170 square miles (442 square kilometers), population 16,748

More from Merriam-Webster on Mafia

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about Mafia

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