Mafia
noun
Ma·fia ˈmä-fē-ə 
ˈma-
1
a
: a secret criminal society of Sicily or Italy
b
: a similarly conceived criminal organization in the U.S.
also : a similar organization elsewhere
the Japanese Mafia
c
: a criminal organization associated with a particular traffic
the cocaine Mafia
2
often not capitalized : a group of people likened to the Mafia
especially : a group of people of similar interests or backgrounds prominent in a particular field or enterprise : clique
Synonyms
- cabal
- conspiracy
- crew
- gang
- mob
- ring
- syndicate
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
a member of the Mafia He's an important figure in the television mafia.
Word History
Etymology
Mafia, Maffia, a Sicilian secret criminal society, from Italian dialect (Sicily), probably from mafiusu
First Known Use
1866, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Phrases Containing Mafia
Geographical Definition
Mafia
geographical name
Ma·fia ˈmä-fē-ə
ˈma-
island of Tanzania in the Indian Ocean south of Zanzibar area 170 square miles (442 square kilometers), population 16,748
Mafia
noun
as in gang
a group involved in secret or criminal activities the local Mafia largely finances itself through extortion rackets and drug trafficking Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- gang
- syndicate
- mob
- conspiracy
- clan
- network
- crew
- clique
- ring
- cabal
- coven
- bunch
- crowd
- coterie
- circle
- junta
- oligarchy
- pack
- set
- galère
- lot