puntone
The Italian word for 'to strut' is puntone.
puntone is used to describe the action of walking haughtily or proudly. Note that the same word, puntone, can also refer to a beam or rod used for structural support, such as a montante.
Meaning: to walk haughtily or proudly (verb)
Which one should you use?
You may use the related noun phrases andatura affettata or andatura solenne to describe a specific type of step or walk characterized by stiffness and the head held high.
Related words
Did you know?
- When describing a person who struts, Italians might use the phrase fare il pavone, which literally means 'to act like a peacock'.
- The word puntone is closely related to punta, which means 'point' or 'tip'. In a structural sense, the beam 'points' or presses against a surface to provide stability.
- If an Italian describes someone as having an andatura affettata, they are not just commenting on the walk but are often criticizing the person's social class or perceived pretension.
Example conversation
Giulia and Francesco are watching a fashion show.
- GiuliaGuarda quel modello, cammina proprio a puntone.Look at that model, he is really strutting.
- FrancescoSì, sembra molto orgoglioso di sé.Yes, he seems very proud of himself.
- GiuliaÈ quasi ridicolo come cammina a puntone.It is almost ridiculous how he struts.
- FrancescoFa parte dello spettacolo, Giulia.It is part of the show, Giulia.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry puntone, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
