Where does the stress go?
Merriam-Webster writes the English pronunciation as ˌvä-pə-ˈre-(ˌ)tō. The stress mark before re places the main stress on that syllable. Our reading guide is an approximation, not an Italian audio recording.
Treccani writes the headword vaporétto to show the stressed vowel. In ordinary text, the word is usually written vaporetto, without that accent mark.
One vaporetto, two vaporetti
The Italian plural is vaporetti. Merriam-Webster also lists vaporettos in English. Choose vaporetti when referring to the Italian wording you see in Venice.
| Number | Form | Original English example |
|---|---|---|
| One | vaporetto | We are waiting for a vaporetto. |
| More than one | vaporetti | The vaporetti call at marked stops. |
Why does the word sound like “vapor”?
Treccani identifies it as a diminutive of vapore. Merriam-Webster connects that form with the Italian expression for a steam boat. That history explains the name; you do not need to assume a boat you see today is steam powered.
What does it mean in a travel guide?
It means the public waterbus. If your accommodation tells you to take a vaporetto, ask for the boarding stop, route, direction and arrival stop. “Take the boat” leaves those details open, especially in a city with several types of water transport.
Compare the different boats, or continue to the first-ride checklist.
References: Merriam-Webster; Treccani. Checked 19 October 2026. Examples on this page are original.