adj

macaroni

mak-uh-ROH-nee

adj

(historical) Fashionable or stylish in an exaggerated, foppish way, especially describing 18th-century dandies.

"The young lord dressed in the height of macaroni fashion, with an absurdly tall wig."

noun

A type of macaroon (a small sweet cake or biscuit).

"She served a plate of coconut macaroni alongside the tea."

How to Use Macaroni

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishMost commonly known today as the pasta, but historically also described an over-the-top fashionable dandy.

Common mistake

The "fop" sense is archaic and mostly survives in the phrase from "Yankee Doodle" ("stuck a feather in his cap and called it macaroni").

Word Forms

more macaroni comparative, macaronis plural, most macaroni superlative

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The young lord dressed in the height of _____ fashion, with an absurdly tall wig.

Etymology

From Italian maccheroni, of uncertain origin; the "fashionable dandy" sense in English comes from the 18th-century British Macaroni Club, whose members were known for flamboyant, Italian-influenced style.

Rhymes for macaroni

oni yoni Joni noni Toni Moni Soni dhoni Zamboni Marconi pepperoni Berlusconi

See all rhymes for macaroni →