Dictionary.com

macaronic

[ mak-uh-ron-ik ]
/ ˌmæk əˈrɒn ɪk /
Save This Word!
See synonyms for: macaronics on Thesaurus.com

adjective
composed of or characterized by Latin words mixed with vernacular words or non-Latin words given Latin endings.
composed of a mixture of languages.
mixed; jumbled: His bureau drawer was a macaronic hodgepodge of unmatched socks.
noun
macaronics, macaronic language.
a macaronic verse or other piece of writing.
QUIZ
CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?
There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?
Question 1 of 7
Which sentence is correct?

Origin of macaronic

First recorded in 1605–15; from New Latin macarōnicus, from dialectal Italian maccarone (from the association of macaroni as peasant food with the vernacular language of peasants) + Latin -icus; see origin at macaroni, -ic

OTHER WORDS FROM macaronic

mac·a·ron·i·cal·ly, adverb
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use macaronic in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for macaronic

macaronic
/ (ˌmækəˈrɒnɪk) /

adjective
(of verse) characterized by a mixture of vernacular words jumbled together with Latin words or Latinized words or with words from one or more other foreign languages
noun
(often plural) macaronic verse

Derived forms of macaronic

macaronically, adverb

Word Origin for macaronic

C17: from New Latin macarōnicus, literally: resembling macaroni (in lack of sophistication); see macaroni
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
FEEDBACK