Lauto

Lauto is an Italian adjective and, less commonly, a noun in phrases, meaning abundant, lavish, or generous. It is used to describe quantities, meals, or offerings that are large or opulent, as in un pasto lauto (a hearty meal) or una donazione lauta (a generous donation). The term can refer to both material and non-material abundance, such as a lauta retribuzione (a substantial remuneration) or a lauti doni in historical or literary contexts.

Etymology and historical usage

Lauto likely derives from Latin or early Romance roots associated with abundance and adornment. In Italian, the word appears in medieval and early modern texts to convey opulence or ample provision, and it remains part of standard vocabulary in more formal or literary styles. In modern usage, lauto tends to emphasize generosity and scale, rather than mere frequency.

Usage notes and related terms

In contemporary Italian, lauto is commonly paired with nouns for meals, gifts, payments, or expenses to express generosity or scale. Synonyms include copioso and abbondante, while antonyms include scarso and modesto. The feminine form lauta and the plural laute align with gender and number of the nouns they modify, as in spese laute (lavish expenses) or una somma lauta (a large sum).

See also

Abbondante, copioso, lavish (loanword usage in English contexts).