From Latin *amīcus* ("friend"), derived from *amāre* ("to love"). The same Latin root gives English "amiable," "amicable," and the Spanish cognate *amigo*, which many English speakers already know.

In Italian culture, friendship (*amicizia*) is deeply valued and often extends to the whole family. Italians may call someone *amico* quite warmly after a short acquaintance — it carries a genuinely affectionate tone rather than the more casual English use of "friend." The feminine form is *amica*; plurals are *amici* (m/mixed) and *amiche* (f). Watch out: *amici* can look like it ends in a feminine plural *-i* ending, but it is in fact masculine.