linguine

noun

lin·​gui·​ne liŋ-ˈgwē-nē 

variants or linguini

: narrow flat pasta

Did you know?

The modern language closest to Latin is Italian, and the Italian word linguine means literally "little tongues". Linguine is only one of the types of pasta whose names describes their shapes. Others include spaghetti ("little strings"), fettuccine ("little ribbons"), penne ("little quills"), orzo ("barley"), farfalle ("butterflies"), vermicelli ("little worms"), capellini ("little hairs"), fusilli ("little spindles"), and radiatori ("little radiators"). If you're thinking about learning Italian, you could make a good start by just visiting an Italian restaurant.

Examples of linguine in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Finishing off this summer pasta is a shower of fresh basil and mint, which cling to each glossy strand of linguine. —The New York Times News Service Syndicate, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 July 2025

Step 2: Once boiling, add linguine and cook two minutes less than package instructions indicate (about 6 to 7 minutes). —Amber Love Bond, Forbes, 22 Oct. 2024

But perhaps most important in these trying economic times, that humble package of spaghetti, linguine or fettuccini is super inexpensive. —Gretchen McKay, Boston Herald, 7 May 2025

Don’t miss the dressed crab starter and for a main, the crab linguine is delicious. —Joanne Shurvell, Forbes.com, 20 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Italian, plural of linguina, diminutive of lingua tongue, from Latin

First Known Use

circa 1948, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for linguine

• beanie
• genie
• sweeney
• sweeny
• teeny
• acini
• aldine
• arsine
• carinii
• cosine
• delphine
• domine