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DictionaryvillaSpacious detached house
noun

villa

VIL-uh/ˈvɪlə/

A detached house, often spacious and in a pleasant setting.

The villa has a shaded terrace.

Comfortable Mediterranean villa with shaded terrace.
Etymology
villaLatincountry house, farm

Latin villa meant a country house or farm. The selected meaning preserves the country-residence idea, especially a substantial house rather than the agricultural property around it.

In context

CosmoLearning43:24
because it is a country house it's a villa rather than a Palazzo
History of Arch Lecture 24 Rome Under Julius II

More examples

  • They rented a villa for the summer.
  • A garden surrounded the old villa.
  • The excavators uncovered the floor of a Roman villa.

Forms

villa · villas

Similar words

mansion
Usually emphasizes exceptional size or grandeur.
cottage
Typically a smaller, simpler house.