Meaning
bribe, kickback
- A bribe or kickback, especially cash handed over discreetly in an envelope
In a sentence
Il funzionario è stato arrestato dopo aver intascato una cospicua bustarella.
The official was arrested after pocketing a hefty bribe.
Purtroppo molti appalti pubblici venivano assegnati tramite bustarelle.
Unfortunately, many public contracts used to be awarded through bribes.
L'imprenditore ha rifiutato di pagare qualunque bustarella per ottenere la licenza.
The entrepreneur refused to pay any bribe to obtain the license.
Word forms (2)
| Word | Word forms |
|---|---|
| bustarella | feminine · singular |
| bustarelle | feminine · plural |
Usage notes
- Informal: common in journalistic and everyday discussions of corruption.
- Diminutive of 'busta' (envelope), literally 'little envelope'.