Meaning
executioner
- an official who carries out a death sentence; hangman
- a ruthless or exceptionally cruel person
In a sentence
Nel Medioevo la professione del boia era disprezzata dalla comunità.
In the Middle Ages, the profession of the executioner was despised by the community.
Oggi fa un freddo boia e preferisco restare a casa.
Today it's freezing cold and I prefer to stay home.
Il dittatore fu considerato un boia spietato dal suo stesso popolo.
The dictator was considered a ruthless executioner by his own people.
Word forms (3)
| Word | Word forms |
|---|---|
| boia | masculine · singular |
| boia | masculine · plural |
| boia | masculine · plural |
Usage notes
- Invariable in the plural: 'i boia'.
- Also used in Tuscan exclamations ('boia deh!') and colloquially as an adjective meaning 'terrible' ('un freddo boia').