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 WebThe result is reminiscent of linguine and clams—but without all the effort or shells to dig through—a weeknight-friendly dinner packed with brightness and just enough seafood salinity.—Kendra Vaculin, Bon Appétit, 25 Mar. 2024 Like family-favorite chicken salad and lemon-parm linguine.—Nina Moskowitz, Bon Appétit, 28 Mar. 2024 Try the linguine with clams at La Camogliese and pop back up to Via della Repubblica for a meal at La Bossa di Mario - Enoteca con Cucina, situated across from the Dragun Pub.—Lauren Breedlove, Travel + Leisure, 6 Mar. 2024 Gravity offered specialty craft cocktails, beer on tap, and menu items like BLTs, seasonal flatbreads and seafood linguine.—Jenna Thompson, Kansas City Star, 13 Feb. 2024 The no-reservations Spina specializes in pasta such as ravioli verdi with spinach and ricotta; pappardelle in lamb ragù; squid-ink linguine with lobster; and cacio e pepe.—Stephanie Breijo, Los Angeles Times, 18 Jan. 2024 Beef cheeks with pappardelle or squid ink linguine with calamari?—Tom Sietsema, Washington Post, 27 Nov. 2023 They are traditionally combined with spaghetti or linguine to create the main course of the feast.—Meghan Overdeep, Southern Living, 1 Dec. 2023 The menu highlighted all of Saint Theo’s signature recipes, like the chicory salad, lemon linguine, spicy cherry tomato spaghetti, branzino, and dark chocolate budinos, an Italian delicacy, for dessert.—Eliseé Browchuk, Vogue, 19 Oct. 2023
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'linguine.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
Italian, plural of linguina, diminutive of lingua tongue, from Latin
Share