pasta
PAS-tuh
Pasta (noun) means a food made from a dough of wheat and water, shaped and usually boiled, forming the base of many Italian dishes. Example: “The shop sells fresh pasta in dozens of different shapes.”
noun
1
A food made from a dough of wheat and water, shaped and usually boiled, forming the base of many Italian dishes.
"The shop sells fresh pasta in dozens of different shapes."
"She boiled the pasta for exactly nine minutes."
"We had pasta with tomato sauce for dinner."
How to use pasta
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe Italian staple food made from wheat dough, in all its shapes — spaghetti, penne, fusilli, and more.
Common pairings
pasta sauce
a plate of pasta
pasta salad
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Word forms
- Plural
- pastas, paste
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The shop sells fresh _____ in dozens of different shapes.
Etymology
Borrowed from Italian pasta, "dough" or "paste," from Late Latin pasta, ultimately from Greek paste, "barley porridge."
Synonyms
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Rhymes for pasta
See all rhymes for pasta →Frequently asked questions
What does “pasta” mean?
The word “pasta” means a food made from a dough of wheat and water, shaped and usually boiled, forming the base of many Italian dishes. In plain terms, the Italian staple food made from wheat dough, in all its shapes — spaghetti, penne, fusilli, and more.
How do you pronounce “pasta”?
“Pasta” is pronounced PAS-tuh (/ˈpɑ.stə/ in IPA).
How do you use “pasta” in a sentence?
Here is “pasta” used in a sentence: “She boiled the pasta for exactly nine minutes.”
What is another word for “pasta”?
Words with a similar meaning to “pasta” include macaroni, noodle and paste.
What part of speech is “pasta”?
“Pasta” is a noun.
Where does the word “pasta” come from?
The word “pasta” comes from Late Latin. Borrowed from Italian pasta, "dough" or "paste," from Late Latin pasta, ultimately from Greek paste, "barley porridge.".
Is “pasta” a common word?
“Pasta” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
What is the difference between pasta and noodles?
Pasta is made from a dough of wheat and water and forms the base of many Italian dishes. "Noodles" is a broader term for long strips of dough that may be made from wheat, rice, or other grains, and is often associated with Asian cooking.
What is the difference between pasta and macaroni?
Macaroni is one particular type of pasta, typically short, curved, hollow tubes. Pasta is the general term covering all such wheat-and-water shapes, including spaghetti, penne, and macaroni.
Is pasta a countable or uncountable noun?
Pasta is normally uncountable in English, so you say "some pasta" or "a bowl of pasta" rather than "a pasta." You can, however, refer to different "pastas" when meaning distinct types or varieties.
What is the difference between pasta and spaghetti?
Spaghetti is a single shape of pasta, consisting of long, thin, round strands. Pasta is the umbrella term for the whole family of wheat-and-water foods, of which spaghetti is just one form.
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