sprezzatura

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sprezzatura

Where it comes from

Borrowed from Italian sprezzatura (“nonchalance”), which was coined by Baldassare Castiglione in 1528. The term gained currency in English in the mid-20th century, often to describe art.

noun sprezzaturas

uncountable, usually The art of performing a difficult task so gracefully that it looks effortless; calculated nonchalance. […] I have found quite a universal rule which in this matter seems to me valid above all others, and in all human affairs whether in word or deed: and that is to avoid affectation in every way possible as though it were some very rough and dangerous reef; and (to pronounce a new word perhaps) to pra

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MLA

"sprezzatura." Wiktionary, via Micwyn, micwyn.com/word/sprezzatura. Accessed 6 Nov. 2026.

APA

sprezzatura. (n.d.). In Wiktionary, via Micwyn. Retrieved November 6, 2026, from https://micwyn.com/word/sprezzatura

Chicago

"sprezzatura." Wiktionary, via Micwyn. Accessed November 6, 2026. https://micwyn.com/word/sprezzatura.

BibTeX

@misc{sprezzatura_2026,
  title = {sprezzatura},
  howpublished = {Wiktionary, via Micwyn},
  year = {2026},
  url = {https://micwyn.com/word/sprezzatura},
  urldate = {2026-11-06}
}