spaghetti

[ spuh-get-ee ]

noun

1. a white, starchy pasta of Italian origin that is made in the form of long strings, boiled, and served with any of a variety of meat, tomato, or other sauces.
2. Electricity. an insulating tubing of small diameter into which bare wire can be slipped.

spaghetti

/ spəˈɡɛtɪ /

noun

1. pasta in the form of long strings

Usage Note

See zucchini.

Word History and Origins

Origin of spaghetti¹

1885–90; < Italian, plural of spaghetto, diminutive of spago thin rope < Late Latin spacus twine, probably < Greek sphákos long-threaded lichen

Word History and Origins

Origin of spaghetti¹

C19: from Italian: little cords, from spago a cord

Example Sentences

But things truly got weird when a participant asked Trump about IVF, and Trump got both gross and punchy, like a weary toddler trying to eat spaghetti.

From Salon

He didn’t just passively watch the spaghetti westerns of Sergio Leone or the grindhouse films of the 1970s, he dissected them scene by scene.

From BBC

The worst example of driving he had seen was when a driver did a U-turn on the A38 while coming off Spaghetti Junction, with around four lanes of traffic on either side.

From BBC

It would be — it’s crazy — spaghetti with butter, parmesan and cottage cheese.

From Salon

Sometimes I’ll just get a traditional spaghetti and meatballs.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• abdominal