noun
- the basic monetary unit of Italy before the adoption of the euro
Usage: historical
Examples
- The old Italian lire were replaced by euros in 2002.
- She found some lire coins in her grandmother’s jewelry box.
- Before traveling to Italy, tourists used to exchange dollars for lire.
- The price was listed as 50,000 lire.
- Many Italians kept their old lire as souvenirs after the currency change.