orecchiette

noun

orec·​chi·​et·​te ō-ˌrā-kē-ˈe-tā How to pronounce orecchiette (audio)
: small oval pasta

Examples of orecchiette in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Other choices include orecchiette with sausage, broccoli rabe, Fresno chili and Parmigiano and pappardelle verde with veal Bolognese, a white Bolognese sauce. Connie Ogle, Miami Herald, 18 Feb. 2025 Guests could choose from three entrées: orecchiette and sausage, Chilean sea bass and wild mushroom risotto. Erin Clack, People.com, 8 Oct. 2024 La Macchia was shaping orecchiette pasta by hand (orecchiette translates into little ear, a reference to the shape of the pasta). Bahar Anooshahr, The Arizona Republic, 30 Sep. 2024 Another surprising highlight was the orecchiette with pickled mushrooms, smoked caciocavallo, and truffle oil. Elizabeth Rhodes, Travel + Leisure, 4 Mar. 2024 See All Example Sentences for orecchiette

Word History

Etymology

Italian, plural of orecchietta, diminutive of orecchia ear, from Latin auricula — more at auricle

First Known Use

1973, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of orecchiette was in 1973

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Cite this Entry

“Orecchiette.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/orecchiette. Accessed 5 Mar. 2025.

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