timo

thyme

noun TEE-moh Rare

Origin: Latin thymum, from Greek thymon.

Also means

thymus

Usage Note

Timo is a homonym: it means both the herb thyme (il timo used in cooking) and the thymus gland (il timo in anatomy). Context makes the meaning clear. The cooking herb is widely used in Italian cuisine with roasted meats and vegetables. Note that timido (shy) is a false friend lookalike but unrelated.

Examples

"Aggiungi il timo al pollo arrosto."

Natural Translation

Add thyme to the roast chicken.

Related Words

Explore Italian by topic

ItalianNow

Italian Hand Gestures: Meanings & When to Use

Italian hand gestures decoded: what the pinched fingers, cheek screw, and chin flick mean, which ones are safe to use, and the one gesture to never make.

June 5, 2026 6 min read

ItalianNow

How to Order Coffee in Italy Like a Local

Order coffee in Italy like a local: say un caffè (not espresso), pay at the cassa first, drink al banco, and skip the latte trap. Phrases inside.

June 5, 2026 6 min read

ItalianNow

Days & Months in Italian: A Beginner's Guide

Days of the week in Italian are lowercase, all masculine except la domenica, and il lunedì means every Monday. Learn the days, months, dates, and seasons.

June 5, 2026 4 min read

ItalianNow

Italian Adjective Agreement & Placement Made Simple

Italian adjectives agree in gender and number and usually sit after the noun. Master the -o/-a/-i/-e endings, the BAGS rule, and meaning-shifting pairs.

June 5, 2026 5 min read