cacciatorpediniere

destroyer

noun kaht-chah-tor-peh-dee-NYEH-reh Rare

Origin: Italian compound: caccia (hunt) + torpediniere (torpedo boat man)

Usage Note

Cacciatorpediniere is one of the longest words in the Italian language and is invariable in the plural — i cacciatorpediniere, not cacciatorpedinieri. It refers specifically to a fast naval warship designed to hunt torpedo boats. Use il cacciatorpediniere in the singular.

Examples

"Il cacciatorpediniere pattugliava il porto."

Natural Translation

The destroyer patrolled the harbor.

Free starter pack

Building your Italian vocabulary?

Get the 100 most common Italian words as a free PDF — one email, no spam.

Related Words

Explore Italian by topic

ItalianNow

Italian Diminutives: -ino, -etto, -one Explained

Italian diminutives like -ino, -etto, and -one signal size, affection, or contempt. Learn to read the feeling, dodge gender flips, and spot false diminutives.

June 9, 2026 6 min read

ItalianNow

Essential Italian Travel Phrases (With Vorrei)

Vorrei means I would like — the politest, most useful Italian travel phrase. Learn five reusable frames to order, ask prices, and find your way in Italy.

June 5, 2026 5 min read

ItalianNow

C'è vs Ci Sono: There Is/Are in Italian

C'è for one thing, ci sono for many — that's the rule. Master Italian's there is/there are with c'era, ci sarà, è vs c'è, and non c'è nessuno.

June 9, 2026 5 min read

ItalianNow

Avere Fame: Why Italians "Have" Hunger, Not "Are"

In Italian you say Ho fame (I have hunger), never sono fame. Learn the avere + noun rule for fame, freddo, paura, age, and the sono caldo trap to avoid.

June 5, 2026 5 min read