mafia
/ˈmɑfi.ə/
Proposed by a contributor, not yet supported by evidence.
Also seen as: mafias
Sense 1
Meaning · English
A hierarchically structured secret organisation engaged in illegal activities like distribution of narcotics, gambling and extortion.
Noun
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).
Sense 2
Meaning · English
A crime syndicate.
Noun
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).
Common questions
What does “mafia” mean?
A hierarchically structured secret organisation engaged in illegal activities like distribution of narcotics, gambling and extortion.
Is “mafia” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.