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

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

Order the sweet corn tortellini, lobster linguine, a Sunday night spaghetti and meatballs special, American wagyu ribeye from Abatti Ranch in San Diego County and Australian wagyu. — Kaila Yu, Forbes.com, 22 May 2026

Stir in chicken broth, white wine, cream, peas, and tortellini. — Elizabeth Nelson, Southern Living, 15 May 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)