semolina
Americannoun
noun
Etymology
Origin of semolina
1790–1800; alteration of Italian semolino, equivalent to semol ( a ) bran (≪ Latin simila flour) + -ino diminutive suffix
Explanation
Semolina is a kind of high-protein wheat flour that's used to make pasta. Couscous is produced by rolling semolina dough into tiny balls. Semolina plays an especially big role in Southern Italian cuisine — it's an ingredient in gnocchi, pasta, and some kinds of focaccia. The word derives from the Italian semolino and the Latin simila, "the finest flour." While the name suggests fineness, semolina is actually a rather coarse flour. Its high protein and gluten content make it ideal for creating a springy, durable pasta dough that holds its shape during boiling.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Starch grains from wheat and barley, along with clear signs of milling, cooking, and baking, indicated that his meals included cooked wheat semolina and baked wheat bread.
From Science Daily ● Nov. 14, 2025
"We had tapioca, semolina, treacle sponge pudding, as well as jam roly-poly, cake with icing and sprinkles, chocolate cake and pink custard, and more."
From BBC ● Apr. 4, 2025
This time, though, the pasta is made with just semolina flour and water, and the only things affecting the shape are the grooves.
From NewsForKids.net ● Feb. 1, 2024
He avoided the coarse wheat flour semolina in his last trip to the market and bought cheaper cassava flakes instead.
From Seattle Times ● Jul. 19, 2023
She put an omelet in front of him, with toast grilled on the stove with olive oil, or semolina pancakes, or a frittata with peppers and mushrooms.
From "Goodbye Stranger" by Rebecca Stead
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
