Venice

IPA/vˈɛnɪs/
KK[vˈɛnəs]IPA/vˈɛnəs/

Venice — noun

1. the main city of the Veneto region, situated in the northeast of Italy on a grou

1.nounA2
Definition

the main city of the Veneto region, situated in the northeast of Italy on a group of islands connected by canals. It is one of the most famous tourist destinations in the world, known for its historic buildings, art collections, and the Carnival festival held every year.

Example

Nora spent three days exploring the narrow streets and canals of Venice.

proper noun used as location complement

The train from Milan arrived at Venice's Santa Lucia station just before noon.

possessive form of place name

Common collocations
  • explore Venice
  • visit Venice
  • travel to Venice
  • the canals of Venice
  • Venice's architecture
  • Venice Carnival
  • based in Venice

Grammar Patterns

Venice + verb (the city as subject)

Usage Note

Always capitalise 'Venice' as it is a proper noun. The city is also referred to as 'Venezia' in Italian. The adjective form is 'Venetian'.

Common Mistakes

I went to venice last summer.
I went to Venice last summer.
place names must always be capitalised in English.
Venice is locate in northern Italy.
Venice is located in northern Italy.
use the passive 'is located' for geographic position.

2. a major port city and seaport in northeastern Italy, situated on a group of isla

2.nounB1
Definition

a major port city and seaport in northeastern Italy, situated on a group of islands within the Venetian Lagoon along the Adriatic Sea. Its port handles both cargo shipping and cruise tourism, and its lagoon ecosystem is recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Example

Sahil works for a shipping company that runs regular routes through the port of Venice.

collocation: port of [city]

Large cruise ships entering the Venice Lagoon now face strict environmental rules.

Common collocations
  • port of Venice
  • Venice Lagoon
  • Venice's waterways
  • the islands of Venice
  • Venice Biennale
  • Venice Film Festival
  • flooding in Venice

Grammar Patterns

Venice + noun (as modifier)

port of Venice

Usage Note

This sense focuses on Venice's geographic and economic role as a port and lagoon city. The adjective 'Venetian' refers to the city, its people, or its lagoon. 'Venice' is also used attributively, e.g. 'Venice port authority', 'Venice Biennale'.

Common Mistakes

Venice is made of 100 small islands.
Venice is built on more than 100 small islands.
the islands are natural; the city was built on top of them.

Word family

Common collocations

Nouns

  • the canals of Venice
  • the architecture of Venice
  • the history of Venice
  • the people of Venice
  • a trip to Venice

Phrases

  • the city of Venice
  • the Republic of Venice
  • the Doge of Venice
  • the port of Venice

Prepositions

  • in Venice
  • to Venice
  • through Venice
  • from Venice
  • near Venice
  • across Venice

Etymology

LatinItalianFrenchEnglish

The name 'Venice' comes from the Latin 'Venetia', which was the name the Romans gave to the region inhabited by the Veneti people, an ancient tribe in northeastern Italy. The Italian name 'Venezia' developed from the same Latin root. Through French ('Venise'), the name entered English as 'Venice' during the Middle Ages.