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

This roundup includes a few simple additions to familiar recipes, such as tossing asparagus into a stir-fry, and a few fancier options, like folding morel mushrooms into a silky linguine. —Ashlyn Ware, Midwest Living, 24 Apr. 2026

The menu is curated by Gigi Rigolatto and features Italian classics such as linguine alle vongole, arancini, and tiramisu. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Apr. 2026

Long strands like spaghetti or linguine may not bulk up quite as much after cooking, while short shapes like penne or rigatoni can swell up in size, taking up more plate space. —Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 22 Apr. 2026

The short rib melts in the mouth, and the lobster linguine is not to be missed. —Cu Fleshman, Travel + Leisure, 12 Apr. 2026

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