What does vermicelli mean?
Vermicelli is a type of pasta made from extremely slender strands. It is usually prepared from wheat flour and is finer than spaghetti, with such delicate strands that it can become soft relatively quickly if overcooked. In the Philippines and parts of Southeast Asia, the word can also denote thin rice noodles, particularly those used in soups and stir-fried dishes. As an ingredient, vermicelli is especially associated with Italian cuisine, including dishes served with tomato sauce, olive oil, herbs, cheese, or seafood. It is also a common component of clear soups across the Mediterranean and Asia. The word carries a pleasant culinary association with delicacy and refinement, partly because of its traditional Italian context and partly because of its exceptionally fine texture. In English, it is normally used as a mass noun, though plural forms occur when individual strands or separate quantities are being counted.
nounPasta consisting of very fine strands, usually thinner than spaghetti and traditionally made from wheat. In some Southeast Asian culinary contexts, the term also refers to narrow rice noodles.
- Very fine strands of pasta, especially wheat pasta thinner than spaghetti.
- In some Southeast Asian culinary usages, narrow rice noodles.
"She served the vermicelli with tomatoes, basil, and freshly grated Parmesan."
"The soup contained vermicelli, sliced mushrooms, and tender pieces of chicken."
"For an authentic Filipino meal, serve the stir-fried rice vermicelli with vegetables and a savory sauce."
The plural is uncommon because the word is normally used as an uncountable mass noun.
"The cook arranged the cooked vermicellis across the wide serving bowl."
Vermicelli's Italian name literally means “little worm,” a reference to the shape of its famously slender strands.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does vermicelli come from?
English borrowed the word from Italian vermicello, a diminutive of verme, meaning “worm.” Italian in turn continues Latin vermis, “worm,” the source of English cognates such as worm, vermin, and vermiform. The pasta's name refers to the traditional appearance of its fine, worm-like strands.
How vermicelli is actually used
In standard culinary English, this is normally treated as an uncountable mass noun. It is neutral in register, though its association with Italian and Mediterranean cooking can give it a somewhat refined or delicate culinary image.
Easily confused with vermicelli
Vermicelli denotes especially fine pasta strands, while spaghetti is the broader category of long pasta strands and is usually thicker.