gnocchi

American  

[nyoh-kee, no-, noh-, nyawk-kee] / ˈnjoʊ ki, ˈnɒ-, ˈnoʊ-, ˈnyɔk ki /

noun

(used with a singular or plural verb)

1. a dish of little dumplings made from potatoes, semolina, flour, or a combination of these ingredients.

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gnocchi British  

/ ˈɡnɒkɪ, ɡəˈnɒkɪ, ˈnɒkɪ /

plural noun

1. dumplings made of pieces of semolina pasta, or sometimes potato, used to garnish soup or served alone with sauce

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Etymology

Origin of gnocchi

1890–95; < Italian, plural of gnocco, originally Upper Italian (Veneto), perhaps cognate with Tuscan nocca, nocco knuckle < Langobardic *knohha joint; knuckle

Explanation

If you like pasta but are tired of spaghetti, you might want to give gnocchi a try. These Italian potato dumplings, which are boiled or baked, are thick and delicious. Gnocchi consists of small dumplings made of potato, flour, and semolina. Like other types of pasta, gnocchi is served with cheese and sauce. Like spaghetti, this is a plural world: the singular gnocco is rarely seen in English. Make sure you have a full appetite before eating a plate of gnocchi because it will fill you up.

Example Sentences

I now make a mean chicken and gnocchi soup.

From Salon • Dec. 20, 2025

The menus change but they always have it or regular gnocchi.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 5, 2025

I tend to always get their spinach gnocchi bolognese, as part of the arrangement on the table.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 5, 2025

“This sounds trite at this point, but in true Italian-American style, some of my earliest memories are helping my nonna roll gnocchi down the tines of a fork,” she said.

From Salon • Jul. 23, 2024

After green garlic gnocchi with red mustard leaves, the waiter said, “Dessert next. More stars first?”

From "The Fault in Our Stars" by John Green

Related Words

• linguine
• macaroni
• ravioli
• spaghetti
• tortellini