Maffia vs. Mafia — Which is Correct Spelling?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Munazza Shafiq — Updated on April 24, 2024
Maffia is the incorrect spelling of Mafia, which refers to a criminal organization involved in illegal activities.
Table of Contents
Which is correct: Maffia or Mafia
How to spell Mafia?
Maffia
Incorrect Spelling
Mafia
Correct Spelling
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Key Differences
Remember that Mafia has only one 'f' and ends with 'ia', reflecting its Italian origin.
The single 'f' in Mafia aligns with other Italian-derived English words, avoiding double consonants unlike in some other languages.
The correct spelling "Mafia" is historically and commonly used in media, law, and general language, reinforcing its standard form.
Link the word Mafia to its well-known global presence in films and literature, which predominantly use the single 'f' spelling.
Mafia is derived from a Sicilian adjective meaning "boldness, bravado"; think of its simple, strong form with only one 'f'.
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How Do You Spell Mafia Correctly?
Incorrect: The maffia is known for its code of silence.
Correct: The Mafia is known for its code of silence.
Incorrect: There's a maffia that controls the underground market.
Correct: There's a Mafia that controls the underground market.
Incorrect: She wrote a book on the history of the maffia.
Correct: She wrote a book on the history of the Mafia.
Mafia Definitions
A secretive organized crime organization, originally of Sicilian origin, involved in illegal activities.
The Mafia has a notorious reputation for its involvement in various illegal activities.
Any organized group using extortion and other criminal methods.
The local drug cartel operates much like the Mafia, with strict codes and severe punishments.
A reference to any tightly knit group of trusted associates.
His close circle of friends at the office was humorously nicknamed the office Mafia.
A closed group of people in a particular field, regarded as exerting control or influence.
Some refer to the influence of tech giants as the Silicon Valley Mafia.
The building or complex where such an organized crime group operates.
The old warehouse is rumored to be the Mafia's main headquarters.
A mafia is a type of organized crime syndicate whose primary activities are protection racketeering, arbitrating disputes between criminals, and brokering and enforcing illegal agreements and transactions. Mafias often engage in secondary activities such as gambling, loan sharking, drug-trafficking, prostitution, and fraud.
A secret criminal organization operating mainly in Sicily since the early 1800s and known for its intimidation of and retribution against law enforcement officials and witnesses.
A secret criminal organization operating mainly in the United States and Italy and engaged in illegal activities such as gambling, drug-dealing, protection, and prostitution.
Any of various similar criminal organizations, especially when dominated by members of the same nationality.
Often mafia(Informal) A tightly knit group of trusted associates, as of a political leader
"[He] is one of the personal mafia that [the chancellor] brought with him to Bonn" (Christian Science Monitor).
A hierarchically structured secret organisation engaged in illegal activities like distribution of narcotics, gambling and extortion.
A crime syndicate.
A trusted group of associates, as of a political leader.
An entity which attempts to control a specified arena.
See maffia, maffioso.
A crime syndicate in the United States; organized in families; believed to have important relations to the Sicilian Mafia
A secret terrorist group in Sicily; originally opposed tyranny but evolved into a criminal organization in the middle of the 19th century
Any tightly knit group of trusted associates
Mafia Meaning in a Sentence
The Mafia is often involved in illegal gambling and loan sharking.
Members of the Mafia are bound by a code of silence called Omertà.
The Mafia often uses legitimate businesses as fronts for its illegal operations.
The local Mafia boss was arrested in a dramatic police raid.
The influence of the Mafia has waned due to increased law enforcement efforts.
Historically, the Mafia originated in Sicily and later spread to other countries.
People fear the Mafia due to its reputation for violence and retribution.
The Mafia has been romanticized in popular culture, despite its brutal reality.
Laws like the RICO Act were implemented to combat organized crime, including the Mafia.
Corruption in local government is often linked to Mafia activities.
The Mafia has diverse interests, from drug trafficking to influencing political decisions.
The Mafia has been known to manipulate elections to its advantage.
Defectors from the Mafia are rare due to the deadly consequences of betrayal.
The government's crackdown on the Mafia has led to numerous high-profile trials.
International cooperation is crucial in the fight against the Mafia.
Witness protection programs were designed to help people testify against the Mafia.
People living under Mafia control often feel helpless and oppressed.
The Mafia sometimes recruits new members through family connections.
The cultural legacy of the Mafia continues to influence media and literature.
Mafia Idioms & Phrases
Mafia tactics
Methods resembling those used by the Mafia, especially in being ruthless or involving intimidation.
The businessman used Mafia tactics to secure the deal.
Mafia family
A unit of an organized crime syndicate, especially in the Italian or Sicilian context.
He was born into a Mafia family and knew no other life.
Mafia stronghold
An area where the Mafia has a significant control or influence.
The town was known as a Mafia stronghold.
Mafia don
A respectful title for the leader of a Mafia family.
The Mafia don commanded respect and fear in equal measure.
Mafia rule
The control or governance by the Mafia.
Under Mafia rule, the locals lived in constant fear.
Mafia boss
The leader of a Mafia organization.
The Mafia boss was finally captured after being on the run for years.
Mafia wars
Violent conflicts between rival Mafia groups.
The city became a battleground during the Mafia wars.
Mafia princess
A woman belonging to a powerful Mafia family, often treated with a mix of respect and caution.
As a Mafia princess, she had access to both luxury and danger.
Mafia hit
An assassination carried out by the Mafia.
The police investigated the case as a possible Mafia hit.
Mafia trial
A legal case involving members of the Mafia.
The Mafia trial attracted media attention from around the world.
Mafia influence
The effect or sway the Mafia holds over something or someone.
Mafia influence in the city's politics was hard to eradicate.
Mafia connection
Ties or associations with the Mafia.
His business success was rumored to be due to his Mafia connections.
Mafia crackdown
Law enforcement efforts to dismantle Mafia operations.
The Mafia crackdown led to dozens of arrests.
Mafia-operated
Something run or controlled by the Mafia.
The nightclub was known to be Mafia-operated.
Mafia money
Wealth or revenue generated through Mafia activities.
Much of his fortune was considered Mafia money.
Mafia link
A suspected or known affiliation with the Mafia.
Investigators uncovered a Mafia link in the corruption scandal.
Mafia law
The code by which Mafia members operate.
According to Mafia law, betrayal was punished by death.
Mafia hideout
A place where Mafia members escape to or hide.
The abandoned mansion served as a Mafia hideout.
Mafia empire
The extensive criminal network controlled by the Mafia.
He was at the top of a vast Mafia empire.
Mafia enclave
A community or area dominated by the Mafia.
The seaside village was a well-known Mafia enclave.
Common Curiosities
How do we divide Mafia into syllables?
Mafia is divided into syllables as Ma-fi-a.
Why is it called Mafia?
It is called "Mafia" from a Sicilian-Arabic slang expression that means "bragging."
How many syllables are in Mafia?
There are three syllables in "Mafia."
How is Mafia used in a sentence?
Mafia is used as a noun to refer to a criminal organization known for its secret activities.
What part of speech is Mafia?
"Mafia" is a noun.
What is the verb form of Mafia?
"Mafia" does not have a verb form; it is only a noun.
What is the root word of Mafia?
The root word of "Mafia" is debated, but it may stem from the Sicilian adjective "mafiusu."
What is a stressed syllable in Mafia?
The stressed syllable in "Mafia" is the first one, 'Ma.'
What is the pronunciation of Mafia?
Mafia is pronounced as /ˈmɑː.fi.ə/.
What is the opposite of Mafia?
There is no direct opposite, but "law enforcement" could be considered antithetical.
What is the plural form of Mafia?
The plural form is "Mafias."
Is Mafia an adverb?
No, "Mafia" is not an adverb.
Is Mafia a negative or positive word?
"Mafia" is generally used in a negative context.
Is Mafia a countable noun?
Yes, "Mafia" is a countable noun.
Is the Mafia term a metaphor?
Yes, "Mafia" can be used metaphorically to describe any tight-knit, secretive group.
Which vowel is used before Mafia?
Typically, the vowel 'a' is used before "Mafia."
What is the singular form of Mafia?
The singular form is "Mafia."
Is Mafia a noun or adjective?
"Mafia" is a noun.
Is Mafia a vowel or consonant?
The word "Mafia" starts with a consonant.
Which determiner is used with Mafia?
Determiners such as "the" or "a" can be used with "Mafia."
Which preposition is used with Mafia?
Common prepositions used with "Mafia" include "in" and "of."
Which conjunction is used with Mafia?
Conjunctions such as "and" or "but" can be used with "Mafia."
What is another term for Mafia?
Another term for "Mafia" is "mob."
Is Mafia an abstract noun?
No, "Mafia" is a concrete noun, referring to a specific group of people.
Is Mafia a collective noun?
Yes, "Mafia" is a collective noun referring to a group.
Is the word Mafia imperative?
No, "Mafia" cannot form an imperative as it is not a verb.
Is the word Mafia Gerund?
No, "Mafia" is not a gerund; it is a noun.
Is the word “Mafia” a Direct object or an Indirect object?
"Mafia" can be used as a direct object in a sentence.
Which article is used with Mafia?
The definite article "the" is commonly used with "Mafia."
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Written by
Munazza Shafiq
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
