vermicelli

noun

ver·​mi·​cel·​li ˌvər-mə-ˈche-lē How to pronounce vermicelli (audio) -ˈse- How to pronounce vermicelli (audio)
: pasta made in long solid strings smaller in diameter than spaghetti

Examples of vermicelli in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Bring a medium pot of water to a boil, then add the vermicelli and cook until soft, about 30 seconds. Saveur Editors, Saveur, 25 Jan. 2024 Step 5 In a large bowl of warm water, soak the vermicelli until pliable, about 15 minutes. Saveur Editors, Saveur, 25 Jan. 2024 Thuan and Angela’s nuoc cham, the Vietnamese condiment/sauce that can make or break a vermicelli or rice-based dish. Tim Carman, Washington Post, 12 Dec. 2022 Creating rice vermicelli is a complicated process: After making the rice dough, it's then steamed slightly before it's kneaded and extruded into super fine strands, which are then dried. Maggie Hiufu Wong, CNN, 26 Apr. 2022 Spring rolls were an artful assemblage of two shrimp, laid across lettuce-and-vermicelli filling, visible through the diaphanous rice-paper wrapping. Rand Richards Cooper, Hartford Courant, 10 Oct. 2022 Cold vermicelli noodles can be easily taken on the go. Jess Eng, Washington Post, 22 June 2022 On a recent day, customers grabbed canisters of Vietnamese vermicelli with crab, tomato and broth to go, along with crunchy egg rolls and baguette sandwiches selling for $3.75 to $5.25. Los Angeles Times, 15 June 2021 Banh hoi vermicelli noodle bowls with shrimp and pork belly. Priscilla Totiyapungprasert, The Arizona Republic, 13 Apr. 2021

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'vermicelli.' 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

borrowed from Italian, plural of vermicello, diminutive of verme "worm," going back to Latin vermis — more at worm entry 1

First Known Use

1669, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of vermicelli was in 1669

Dictionary Entries Near vermicelli

Cite this Entry

“Vermicelli.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/vermicelli. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

vermicelli

noun
ver·​mi·​cel·​li ˌvər-mə-ˈchel-ē How to pronounce vermicelli (audio) -ˈsel- How to pronounce vermicelli (audio)
: a pasta that is thinner than spaghetti
Etymology

from Italian vermicelli "pasta similar to but thinner than spaghetti," literally, "little worms," from verme "worm," from Latin vermis "worm" — related to vermin see Word History at vermin

More from Merriam-Webster on vermicelli

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!