Meaning
count (rank)
- earl
In a sentence
Il conte vive in una casa molto grande.
The count lives in a very big house.
Hai visto il conte ieri sera al teatro?
Did you see the count at the theater last night?
Il castello apparteneva a un ricco conte.
The castle belonged to a wealthy count.
Word forms (2)
| Word | Word forms |
|---|---|
| conte | masculine · singular |
| conti | masculine · plural |
Usage notes
- Use 'conte' for noble rank; 'earl' is rare in Italian. 'Conte' is more common than 'contessa' (countess).
- No plural change for titles: 'i conte' (the counts), not 'i conti' unless referring to multiple individuals named Conte.
- Formal register; avoid in casual speech unless discussing nobility or historical contexts.