tortellini

noun

tor·​tel·​li·​ni ˌtȯr-tə-ˈlē-nē 

plural tortellini also tortellinis

: pasta in the form of little ring-shaped cases containing a filling (as of meat or cheese)

Examples of tortellini in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Dishes included a Brazilian kimchi toast, a Swiss chard pancake with pesto, tamarind tortellini in double cream and Angostura, and a peanut tiramisu served with artichoke coffee. — Lanee Lee, Forbes.com, 23 July 2026

In the center, a cluster of tortellini lounged in a pool of truffle-flecked butter sauce. — Jenn Harris, Los Angeles Times, 16 July 2026

Quince, San Francisco Chef Michael Tusk has combined his love of Northern Italian cuisine with his surrounds in Northern California to evolve classics like tortellini into modern American fare. — Jeremy Repanich, Robb Report, 26 June 2026

Equally strong were delicate fish dumplings resembling oversized tortellini, served beneath a bright curry sauce. — Arion McNicoll, TheWeek, 15 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Italian, plural of tortellino, diminutive of tortello "rectangular or disk-shaped filled pasta, fritter," diminutive of torta "cake, tart," going back to Late Latin tōrta "round loaf of bread" — more at tart entry 2

First Known Use

circa 1911, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for tortellini

• antonine
• celestine
• cytosine
• emetine
• eserine
• infantine
• johannine
• kundalini
• passerine
• proserpine
• reserpine
• riverine

Kids Definition

tortellini

noun

tor·​tel·​li·​ni ˌtȯrt-ə-ˈlē-nē 

plural tortellini also tortellinis

: pasta in the form of little ring-shaped cases containing a filling (as of meat or cheese)