sposo

husband

noun SPOH-zoh Rare

Origin: From Latin sponsus (betrothed), from spondere (to pledge).

Also means

bridegroom

Usage Note

Sposo can mean 'husband' in a general sense or 'bridegroom' on the wedding day specifically. The feminine sposa means 'wife' or 'bride'. The plural gli sposi (the spouses) is used to refer to a couple on their wedding day or early in marriage. Compare marito (husband, the more everyday word for a married man).

Examples

"Lo sposo era visibilmente emozionato all'altare."

Natural Translation

The groom was visibly moved at the altar.

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 Restaurant Etiquette: Mistakes to Avoid

Skip the cappuccino after dinner, never put parmesan on fish, and learn the exact Italian phrases to order gracefully and avoid looking like a tourist.

June 5, 2026 5 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

Italian Reflexive Verbs: Mi Chiamo, Mi Alzo & More

Italian reflexive verbs use mi, ti, si, ci, vi, si — learn the pronouns, conjugate chiamarsi and alzarsi, master your daily routine, and the modal-verb rule.

June 5, 2026 5 min read

ItalianNow

Most Common Italian Verbs: The 10 That Unlock Speech

Drill these 10 most common Italian verbs first and you unlock past tense, modals, and the progressive — a 7-day plan with every present-tense form to memorize.

June 9, 2026 5 min read