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.
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Add the linguine and cook to just before al dente according to the package directions.—Kate Bradshaw, Mercury News, 13 Oct. 2025 Five days later, the company expanded the recall to more precooked dishes, including fettuccine, linguine and bowtie pasta, the FDA said.—Kaan Ozcan, NBC news, 8 Oct. 2025 Leave that linguine behind Some heat-and-eat pasta meals sold at Walmart and Trader Joe’s may be contaminated with listeria bacteria, according to federal health officials.—Alexandra Banner, CNN Money, 30 Sep. 2025 The linguine used as an ingredient in the meal kit, which tested positive for listeria monocytogenes, was the same linguine used in FreshRealm’s Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo meals that caused three deaths and 16 hospitalizations.—Amaris Encinas, USA Today, 26 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for linguine
Word History
Etymology
Italian, plural of linguina, diminutive of lingua tongue, from Latin
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