Meaning
that is, namely
- or (formal/legal)
In a sentence
Ci vediamo domani, ovvero martedì mattina.
We'll see each other tomorrow, that is, Tuesday morning.
Cerchiamo un medico, ovvero un laureato in medicina.
We are looking for a doctor, that is, a medicine graduate.
Non ho capito, ovvero mi sono perso un pezzo.
I didn't understand, that is, I missed a part.
Usage notes
- Common in writing, bureaucracy, and formal speech; in casual conversation, cioè is usually more natural.
- Use it to clarify or reformulate a previous term; it often follows a comma and introduces an explanation.
- It can also mean or rather in legal or technical wording, but this use is less common for learners.