vescovo
/ˈves.ko.vo/masculine
The Italian word for bishop is vescovo. Wiktionary also lists vescova and presule.
Meaning: church official, supervisor of priests and congregations (noun)
Ways to say it
| Italian | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| vescovo | /ˈves.ko.vo/ | masculine |
| vescova | feminine | |
| presule | /ˈprɛ.zu.le/ /ˈprɛ.su.le/ (formal) |
masculine |
The term refers to a church official who serves as a supervisor of priests and congregations.
Which one should you use?
While vescovo is the standard word for bishop, presule is a higher-register term meaning 'prelate' used to describe high-ranking clergy.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In the Lombard dialect, the term for bishop is vescèvo.
How does it change in a sentence?
The masculine singular vescovo becomes vescovi in the plural. The feminine singular vescova becomes vescove in the plural.
How do you pronounce it?
vescovo is pronounced /ˈves.ko.vo/. The stress is on the 1st of 3 syllables.
Did you know?
- In Italian chess terminology, the piece known as the 'bishop' in English is not called vescovo but alfiere, which means 'standard-bearer'.
- In some historical Italian contexts, presule can be used ironically to describe someone who acts with an air of superiority.
- Italian has a rare 'doublet' for this word, meaning vescovo and episcopo both come from the same source but entered the language at different times.
Examples in context
- Il Papa è il vescovo di Roma.The Pope is the bishop of Rome.This sentence is useful for identifying the Pope as the bishop of Rome using vescovo.Tatoeba #13213922 by Guybrush88, translation #10242515 by Rawrren
- Il vescovo è seduto in cima alla cattedrale.The bishop is sitting on top of the cathedral.This sentence is useful for describing a bishop's location at a cathedral using vescovo.Tatoeba #13957090 by Guybrush88, translation #13833847 by rul
- Il vescovo ha parlato senza commentare la situazione.The bishop talked without commenting on the situation.This sentence is useful for describing a bishop's speech using vescovo.Tatoeba #11557307 by Nuel, translation #11557306 by Nuel
- Il vescovo ha presieduto la messa di oggi.The bishop presided over today's Mass.
- Ho avuto l'onore di incontrare il vescovo.I had the honor of meeting the bishop.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Chiara and Lorenzo are walking past an old cathedral.
- ChiaraConosci quel vescovo?Do you know that bishop?
- LorenzoSì, è un uomo molto gentile.Yes, he is a very kind man.
- ChiaraIl vescovo vive ancora qui?Does the bishop still live here?
- LorenzoSì, abita vicino alla cattedrale.Yes, he lives near the cathedral.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “bishop” translations and entries vescovo, presule, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries presule, vescovo, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
