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.
Cook the pasta according to the package directions, stopping 1 minute before al dente. Robin Miller, The Arizona Republic, 1 Nov. 2024 Each noodle, rolled into itself like a swimming pool flotation device, is al dente, perfectly chewy and firm. Lyndsay C. Green, Detroit Free Press, 2 June 2024 Add the spaghetti and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Farideh Sadeghin, Saveur, 29 Nov. 2024 Homemade cranberry sauce Boil fresh cranberries until al dente, add sugar to taste and finish it off with orange peel. Bayliss Wagner, Austin American-Statesman, 26 Nov. 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 21 Dec. 2024.

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