This volume presents the first comprehensive description of 20th century Italian word formation in all its non-dialectal aspects. The main focus is on productive patterns. Alongside the central concern with composition and derivation, there is also due reference to frontier areas between word formation proper, semantics, and syntax, as well as to more marginal formation patterns like abbreviations and portmanteau words. The various facets are dealt with by 19 qualified experts from Italy, Austria, Germany, and Switzerland, and a number of them are described in detail here for the first time. Although this description sets out to satisfy the highest standards of scholarship, the authors have been at pains to make their contributions as generally comprehensible as possible. Accordingly, the book can be profitably consulted not only by professional linguists but also by a wider audience.