mozzarella
Americannoun
noun
Etymology
Origin of mozzarella
1910–15; < Italian, equivalent to mozza a kind of cheese (literally, a cut; compare mozzare to cut off ) + -rella -rel
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Explanation
Mozzarella is a soft, mild cheese that's commonly used to make pizza. If you love that stretchy white melted cheese on your slice of pepperoni, you're a fan of mozzarella. Traditionally, mozzarella has been made from Italian water buffalo milk, although these days it's common to find cow's milk mozzarella in the store. Mozzarella is pale in color and very moist. Fresh mozzarella comes in liquid brine, and must be eaten within a few days, although shelf-stable "low-moisture" mozzarella lasts much longer and often comes already shredded. The name mozzarella comes from the Italian mozzare, "to cut off."
Vocabulary lists containing mozzarella
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Products with mid- to late-October sell-by dates included Sprouts Farmers Market smoked mozzarella pasta salad and Scott & Jon’s shrimp scampi with linguini bowl, a precooked frozen meal.
From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 5, 2025
Jack in the Box also sells smoothies, tacos and mozzarella sticks to customers who often order from their cars.
From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 17, 2025
And yes, don’t be shy about layering: a little sprinkle of grated parmesan on top of melted mozzarella or cheddar can elevate even the humblest frozen fry to dinner-party territory.
From Salon • Sep. 16, 2025
“I thought I was having a stroke, like an elephant was on my head,” Michaelis said from her garden, while she slowly made her way through a tomato and mozzarella salad her husband had prepared.
From The Wall Street Journal • Sep. 14, 2025
She’s ordered mozzarella sticks for me, a pizza for the three of us, and Cokes all around.
From "Blended" by Sharon M. Draper
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
