The correct spelling is bocce, with one C and an E at the end. Bocci, with an I instead of the E, is one of the most common misspellings. The correct pronunciation is either BOH-chay (closer to the Italian original) or BOTCH-ee (a common American pronunciation). Both are widely accepted; neither is wrong. The word is Italian, the plural of boccia, which means ball. So bocce balls literally translates as balls balls in the strict etymological sense, which most language nerds find amusing.
The bocci vs bocce spelling confusion is real and persistent. Search-engine data shows people searching bocci ball set, boccee balls, bocci balls, and similar misspellings every month. Reaching this page either means you searched the wrong spelling and Google bridged you here, or you're trying to settle a friendly argument with someone who insists bocci is correct. (It's not, but you can be diplomatic about it.) According to Encyclopedia Britannica's entry on bocce, the standard English-language spelling has been bocce continuously since the early twentieth century when the game arrived in North America with Italian immigration.
Key Takeaways
- Correct spelling: bocce (one C, ends in E).
- Correct pronunciation: BOH-chay (Italian) or BOTCH-ee (Americanized) , both accepted.
- Etymology: Italian, plural of boccia meaning ball. Bocce literally means balls.
- Common misspellings: bocci, boccee, bocchi, boci. All wrong, all widely encountered.
- The Italian original is also sometimes spelled boccie (with an extra I and E) in older texts; bocce is the modern standardized form.
How to pronounce bocce
The most-asked bocce question, particularly from voice-search and people about to say the word out loud for the first time. Two acceptable pronunciations exist:
BOH-chay: closer to the Italian original. The first syllable rhymes with the English word boh; the second syllable is the soft chay sound (as in chai tea minus the i). Used at Italian-American social clubs in heritage cities (Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, NYC, Toronto) and by language sticklers.
BOTCH-ee: the Americanized pronunciation. Rhymes with watch-ee. Used in most American casual settings; widely accepted including at USBF-sanctioned events.
Both are correct. Neither is wrong. Choose based on your audience and your comfort. Coverage of Italian-American language patterns in New York Times national reporting has noted that the Italian-club crowd typically uses BOH-chay while the broader recreational community uses BOTCH-ee. If you're at a Marconi Plaza Sunday pickup game in South Philly, BOH-chay reads as more respectful. At a Pinstripes restaurant-bocce evening with friends, either works.
Common misspellings and why they happen
Five spellings show up in search and casual writing:
Bocce (correct): the modern standardized form. What every retailer, governing body, and dictionary uses.
Bocci: the most common misspelling. The C+I ending feels Italian-correct to English speakers, but the correct Italian plural is bocce (C+E).
Boccee: a second-most-common misspelling. The double-E ending feels more English than Italian and is wrong.
Boccie: an older Italian-language variant occasionally used in pre-1950 texts. Not the modern standard but not strictly wrong in historical context.
Bocci (used as singular ball): some North American casual usage refers to a single bocce ball as a bocci. This is non-standard. The proper Italian singular is boccia (one ball); bocce is the plural.
According to United States Bocce Federation usage, all official North American sanctioned events use the bocce spelling. Misspellings cluster in informal writing and in search queries by people learning the term for the first time.
Why the spelling matters
Three practical reasons:
Search: typing bocci or boccee into Google still surfaces correct content (Google handles the spelling variance) but typing the correct bocce gives more precise results and avoids irrelevant matches with other words.
Social signaling: at Italian-American club venues, using the correct spelling and BOH-chay pronunciation signals that you took the time to learn the term properly. Not a requirement, but a courtesy.
Purchase accuracy: when buying bocce equipment online, searching for bocci ball set surfaces both genuine bocce results and unrelated products (the misspelling has no protection from sellers who use it). Searching bocce gives more reliable results from established retailers. According to coverage of Italian-American cultural conventions in Outside Magazine, the casual misspelling tolerance at recreational venues is high; the formal correctness expectation at heritage club events is higher.
What about boules and pétanque pronunciation?
Related: the French equivalent sport is pétanque, pronounced peh-TAHNK. The broader French term boules covers all rolling-ball games and is pronounced BOOL. Neither is bocce; the games are sibling traditions rather than the same activity. The Italian volo (aerial-throw variant) is pronounced VOH-loh.
Equipment that helps you say the word with confidence
1. 107 mm Yellow/White Marble 4-Ball Set
Best for: regulation 4-ball half-sets in distinctive premium colorways.
The 107mm yellow/white marble set at $225 covers half of an 8-ball regulation kit in a visually distinctive marble pattern. Pair with a contrasting half-set for full team play. (Pronounced correctly as BOH-chay yellow-white marble bocce balls or BOTCH-ee yellow-white marble bocce balls; both work.)
2. 73 mm Metal Bocce/Petanque 6-Ball Set
Best for: learning the pétanque pronunciation alongside the metal-ball play tradition.
The 73mm metal 6-ball set at $70 covers the French pétanque tradition (pronounced peh-TAHNK) in 3-on-3 triplette format. The metal ball variant lets you experience both bocce and pétanque in one purchase.
3. Bocce Rule Book: Official Open Rules
Best for: learning the correct bocce terminology beyond just the spelling and pronunciation.
The 15-dollar rule book uses correct Italian terminology throughout: pallino (the target ball), raffa (the standard rolling style), volo (the aerial-throw variant), and the official scoring vocabulary. Useful for any new player who wants to use the right words at Italian-American clubs.
Why buy from BuyBocceBalls
We use the correct bocce spelling throughout the site and ship full bocce equipment kits from US warehouses in two to four business days. Most orders include gift notes; some allow customer engraving for personalization. Browse the full bocce ball collection for every active configuration in the correct spelling.
Frequently asked questions
How do you pronounce bocce?
Two acceptable pronunciations: BOH-chay (closer to Italian original) and BOTCH-ee (Americanized). Both are widely accepted; choose based on your audience.
Is it spelled bocci or bocce?
Bocce. With one C and an E at the end. Bocci is a common misspelling that surfaces in search but isn't the standard form.
What does bocce mean in Italian?
Plural of boccia, which means ball. So bocce literally means balls in Italian. A bocce set is, etymologically, a balls set.
Is bocce pronounced like bocci?
No. Bocci would be pronounced BOH-chee with hard ee at the end. Bocce is pronounced BOH-chay (soft cha) or BOTCH-ee. The spelling difference matters for the ending sound.
