ravioli

American  

[rav-ee-oh-lee, rah-vee-, rah-vyaw-lee] / ˌræv iˈoʊ li, ˌrɑ vi-, rɑˈvyɔ li /

noun

(used with a singular or plural verb)

1. small cases of pasta, often square, stuffed with a filling, usually of meat or cheese, and often served with a tomato sauce.

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ravioli British  

/ ˌrævɪˈəʊlɪ /

noun

1. small squares of pasta containing a savoury mixture of meat, cheese, etc

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Usage

See zucchini.

Etymology

Origin of ravioli

First recorded in 1835–45; from Italian, plural of dialectal raviolo “little turnip,” diminutive of rava, from Latin rāpa; see origin at rape ²

Compare meaning

How does ravioli compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• tortellini vs. ravioli

Example Sentences

Catherine prepared "tortelli" -- a regional speciality similar to ravioli -- at a farmhouse hotel near the city of Reggio Emilia.

From Barron's • May 14, 2026

“A defining example is how Joyce Chen created Peking ravioli with a meatier filling to appeal to the region’s Italian-influenced tastes, even using the name ‘ravioli’ as a familiar reference point,” says Doo.

From Salon • May 3, 2026

Xi Jinping had just finished a lunch of herbed-ricotta ravioli at a secluded estate outside San Francisco in 2023 when his security agents sprang into action.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 27, 2026

At Giorgio Baldi, I like the ravioli that has corn in it, which is what they’re famous for.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 30, 2026

I unrolled my silverware, picked up my fork, and carefully speared a ravioli.

From "Twilight" by Stephenie Meyer

Related Words

• gnocchi
• linguine
• macaroni
• spaghetti
• tortellini