l’ex
ex
Parola usata per indicare una persona con cui si è avuto in passato un rapporto di amore o di matrimonio.
Definition & meaning
In Italian, the word ex functions primarily as a noun or an adjective to denote someone who previously held a specific status, role, or relationship.
- As a noun: It refers to a former romantic partner (boyfriend, girlfriend, husband, or wife). It is commonly used in casual conversation to describe someone with whom one previously had an intimate relationship.
- As a prefix/adjective: It is used as an invariable prefix (often connected with a hyphen) to indicate that someone no longer holds a particular position or title. For example, ex-presidente (former president) or ex-giocatore (former player).
Grammar & Word origin
The word is an invariable noun and adjective, meaning it does not change its form regardless of the gender or number of the person it describes (e.g., il mio ex, la mia ex, i miei ex).
It originates directly from the Latin preposition ex, which means "out of" or "from." In its modern usage, it has been adopted as an autonomous noun in many languages, including Italian, to describe a person who is "out of" a former role or relationship.
Synonyms & antonyms
Synonyms:
- Precedente (used when referring to a former role or holder of an office).
- Fu (a literary or formal way to indicate someone who is no longer in a position, often used for deceased figures or strictly formal titles).
- Passato (used to describe a previous state or tenure).
Antonyms:
Make “ex” part of your vocabulary.
Build your Italian vocabulary with flashcards, audio and spaced repetition.
Examples
Lei non vuole più parlare con il suo ex ragazzo.adjective
She no longer wants to talk to her ex boyfriend.
Ho visto la mia ex al mercato ieri.noun
I saw my ex at the market yesterday.
Keep exploring Italian
Learn words from the content you love.
Add words from websites, books and videos, then remember them with spaced repetition (SRS).
Scan for iPhone & iPad