al dente

adjective

al den·​te äl-ˈden-(ˌ)tā How to pronounce al dente (audio)
al-
: cooked just enough to retain a somewhat firm texture
al dente pasta
al dente adverb
pasta cooked al dente

Examples of al dente in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Generously salt the water and add the macaroni and cook according to the package instructions (the pasta should be fully cooked and soft, not al dente). Carole Kotkin, Miami Herald, 10 Jan. 2025 The macaroni was al dente; the creamy cheese melted in my mouth. Dhruv Khullar, The New Yorker, 6 Jan. 2025 Add pasta and cook to al dente according to package directions. Cathy Thomas, Orange County Register, 1 Jan. 2025 On a relaxed Wednesday evening, the cacio e pepe redeemed itself, its noodles perfectly al dente, playing nicely with the crunch and heat of generous cracks of fresh black pepper. Lyndsay C. Green, Detroit Free Press, 2 June 2024 See all Example Sentences for al dente 

Word History

Etymology

Italian; literally, to the tooth

First Known Use

1920, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of al dente was in 1920

Dictionary Entries Near al dente

Cite this Entry

“Al dente.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/al%20dente. Accessed 22 Jan. 2025.

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