riuscita Italian · revision 38942

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=derivation|attested=before 1348, Giovanni Villani|origins=la exeō}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * /ri.uʃˈʃi.ta/^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Forms==

+ '''riuscita''' ''f'' (plural riuscite)^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[af|it|riuscire|-ita]], the feminine of the past participle used as a noun.^(GRADIT 2003)^(Sabatini–Coletti 2026)^(Treccani 2011)^(Wiktionary) Zingarelli and Gabrielli take it from the adjective [[riuscito]].^(Zingarelli 2010)^(Gabrielli 2020) The verb [[riuscire]] is [[uscire]] with the prefix [[ri-]], iterative or intensive; it first meant “to come out, to end up” and then “to end well, to succeed”.^(DELI 1999)^(Nocentini 2010) That verb is [[la|exeō|t=to go out]], with its first vowel taken from [[uscio|t=door]].^(DELI 1999)^(Nocentini 2010)

+

+ [[fr|réussir]] was borrowed from the Italian verb, and [[fr|réussite]] from the noun, first in the sense “result” (1583) and then “success” (1639).^(Nocentini 2010)^(DIFIT) [[ro|reușită]] was borrowed in turn.^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ DELI's first record is in the chronicle of Giovanni Villani (before 1348), in the sense “the way a thing turns out”: “Piaccia a Dio che sia con buona riuscita la loro signoria” (“May it please God that their rule turn out well”).^(DELI 1999)^(Tommaseo–Bellini 1861) GRADIT dates the word before 1384.^(GRADIT 2003)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ Boccaccio uses it for the end of a story, which may come to a splendid ''riuscita'' after many miseries.^(Tommaseo–Bellini 1861)^(Treccani 2011) The sense “a good showing, a proof of one's ability” is in Paolo Giovio, before 1552, and the LEI records it from about 1550 in Vasari.^(DELI 1999)^(LEI|22, 291) People could make a good or a bad ''riuscita'', turn out well or badly: Berni warns his friend that his way of life will lead to a sad one.^(Tommaseo–Bellini 1861)

+

+ The sense “outlet, exit” of old texts is now rare.^(GRADIT 2003)^(Zingarelli 2010)^(Sabatini–Coletti 2026) In 1877 Fanfani and Arlìa condemned ''non riuscita'' “failure” as a wrong and graceless usage.^(DELI 1999) Today the word is also used of how well a product wears.^(GRADIT 2003)^(Devoto–Oli 2026)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * Before 1348 – Giovanni Villani uses ''riuscita'' “outcome”.^(DELI 1999)

+ * c. 1550 – Vasari uses it for a proof of one's abilities.^(LEI|22, 291)

+ * Before 1552 – Paolo Giovio uses it for “a good showing”.^(DELI 1999)

+ * 1583 – French ''réussite'' “result” is recorded.^(DIFIT)

+ * 1639 – French ''réussite'' “success” is recorded.^(DIFIT)

+ * 1877 – Fanfani and Arlìa condemn ''non riuscita''.^(DELI 1999)

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Noun===

+ # The [[m|en|outcome]] of an action or event, especially a good one: ''Tutti lavorano per la riuscita della mostra.''^(GRADIT 2003)^(Devoto–Oli 2026)^(Sabatini–Coletti 2026)

+ # Personal [[m|en|success]]: ''Ha fatto un'ottima riuscita come medico.''^(GRADIT 2003)^(Devoto–Oli 2026)^(Treccani 2011)

+ # How well a product performs or lasts: ''Questa giacca ha fatto una buona riuscita.''^(GRADIT 2003)^(Devoto–Oli 2026)^(Treccani 2011)

+ # ''(rare)'' An [[m|en|outlet]], an exit.^(GRADIT 2003)^(Devoto–Oli 2026)^(Sabatini–Coletti 2026)

+ # ''(obsolete)'' Conclusion.^(GRADIT 2003)^(Zingarelli 2010)

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[riuscire]]

+ * [[riuscito]]

+ * [[uscire]]

+ * [[uscita]]

+ * [[fr|réussite]]

+

+ ==Usage notes==

+ ''Riuscita'' is also the feminine past participle of [[riuscire]] (''la torta è riuscita bene'').^(Wikizionario)^(Sabatini–Coletti 2026)

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}