heypolyglot
Italian

ritornello

/ritorˈnɛllo/noun · masculineC1
Extended vocabulary · Vocabulary rank 15,291

Meaning

chorus, refrain

  • the recurring chorus or refrain of a song
  • a repeated phrase, idea, or complaint

In a sentence

Tutti cantavano a squarciagola il ritornello durante il concerto.

Everyone was singing the chorus at the top of their lungs during the concert.

Non ricominciare con il solito ritornello delle lamentele!

Don't start up again with the usual refrain of complaints!

Questo ritornello orecchiabile ti rimane subito in testa.

This catchy chorus immediately gets stuck in your head.

Word forms (2)
WordWord forms
ritornellomasculine · singular
ritornellimasculine · plural

Usage notes

  • Refers to both the musical chorus and figuratively to an annoying, repeated complaint.

Related words

Explore vocabulary lessons →