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

In September, the company recalled nearly 245,000 pounds of pasta, including linguine, fettuccine, penne and other varieties used in prepared meals and deli salads distributed nationwide. —Gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Oct. 2025

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

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