* Constantly Evolving: Languages are dynamic and constantly change. New words are created, old ones become obsolete, and meanings shift.
* Different Dictionaries: Different dictionaries use varying criteria for inclusion, resulting in different word counts.
* Technical Terms: Including highly specialized technical terms, regionalisms, and slang significantly increases the count.
However, some estimates put the number of common Italian words around 100,000 - 200,000. This would include words used in everyday speech, literature, and media.
Important to note: The actual number is much larger if you factor in all possible words, including technical terms, regional variations, and archaic forms.