The cicchetto in the Zingarelli dictionary 2026
With a press release from the Veneto Region and a post by President Luca Zaia on social media, the news has become official: the word cicchetto (Venetian) has been recognized and enters the Zingarelli 2026 vocabulary.
Learn more about cicchetto in the Zingarelli dictionary 2026 in this guide by Venice Insider Guide.
The cicchetto in the Zingarelli dictionary 2026
Venice has always had its own way of being remembered: between calli and canals, art and traditions, every detail tells a story that goes back centuries. But this time, the protagonist is not a monument or a palace, but a word.
Yes, because the term “cicchetto” is officially in the Zingarelli 2026 dictionary, part of the Italian linguistic heritage.
And if you think it’s just a snack, get ready to discover what’s really inside the soul of the lagoon city.
New words
Every year the famous Zingarelli dictionary adds new entries to its pages.
The 2026 edition is no exception, including the term “cicchetto”, a word that contains a universe of gastronomic culture, sociality and territorial identity.
Entering the dictionary is not just a linguistic recognition: it’s a way to certify the importance of this word in everyday language, beyond the borders of Venice.
What does the typical Venetian word "cicchetto" mean?
Cicchetto in the Zingarelli dictionary 2026? Yes but what does it mean? And above all, what does this Venetian word mean? If you’re asking yourself this, we’ve grouped the reasons below.
Culinary symbol of the area
In Venice, the cicchetto is more than just a snack: it’s a small taste of history, a gesture of conviviality and a tradition that’s been passed down through generations.
It’s small portions of typical Venetian dishes, served in the famous bacari (local osterias), perfect to be enjoyed with a glass of wine or an Aperol spritz.
It can be baccalà mantecato crostini, meat or fish meatballs, sarde in saor or other specialities of the lagoon. Every cicchetto tells the deep link between the city and its cuisine, made of fresh ingredients and recipes born from the contamination of different cultures.
Not just a snack
Who thinks of cicchetto as just an appetizer, is wrong. It’s a social ritual: a way to meet, chat, share moments. In Venice we say “andar per cicchetti”, meaning to go from one bacaro to another, tasting small bites and drinking a glass of wine.
This habit has become part of the Venetian lifestyle and is an experience not to be missed when visiting the city. You can see locals and tourists mixed together at any time of day in the crowded bacari.
Where is the word cicchetto used?
But where is the word cicchetto used that’s in the Zingarelli 2026 dictionary?
Our language
The inclusion of cicchetto in the Zingarelli dictionary proves that this word has already entered the common use of the Italian language. Originally tied to a local context, today it’s a word that doesn’t need translation and anyone, even outside of Veneto, understands it.
Not just in Venice, but all over Veneto
The cicchetto culture isn’t limited to the city lagoon. You’ll find places in Padova, Treviso and Verona that offer these delicious bites, reinterpreted with local ingredients and new recipes. The word has become synonymous with informal aperitif, moments shared in a relaxed and genuine atmosphere.
Now it’s used north and south of Italy
In recent years, thanks to tourism and the influence of Venetian cuisine, the word cicchetto has gone beyond regional borders. Today it’s used in many Italian cities to indicate small portions served with a drink, often during aperitif.
Its meaning has expanded, but the cultural value remains the same: it represents the will to sociality and sharing that unites Italy from north to south.
Why cicchetto in the Zingarelli 2026 dictionary?
Language is a mirror of society and its transformations. The inclusion of cicchetto in the Zingarelli 2026 dictionary officially seals the path of this word: from local expression to national recognized term.
It means recognizing the value of a gastronomic and cultural tradition that has evolved without losing its authenticity. But it also means valuing the ability of the Italian language to welcome and spread words that tell stories, territories and identities.
End
Cicchetto in the Zingarelli dictionary 2026 isn’t just a word in a dictionary: it’s the symbol of how Venetian culture has been able to cross time and geographies, bringing its uniqueness along.
When you’ll visit Venice, don’t forget to stop by a bacaro, order a cicchetto and live the ritual firsthand in the city’s own language.
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