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vermicelli

American  
[vur-mi-chel-ee, -sel-ee] / ˌvɜr mɪˈtʃɛl i, -ˈsɛl i /

noun

  1. a kind of pasta in the form of long, slender, solid threads, resembling spaghetti but thinner.


vermicelli British  
/ vermiˈtʃɛlli, ˌvɜːmɪˈsɛlɪ /

noun

  1. very fine strands of pasta, used in soups

  2. tiny chocolate strands used to coat cakes, etc

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of vermicelli

1660–70; < Italian, plural of vermicello, diminutive of verme worm < Latin vermis

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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.

Serve them with a sweet chili dipping sauce or fresh lettuce leaves and rice vermicelli noodles.

From Salon • Aug. 7, 2025

Across the street from the Sahutoglus’ home, residents emerged from tents with plastic containers and congregated outside the narrow storefront, where they were served scoops of red soup and vermicelli noodles.

From New York Times • Feb. 24, 2023

To serve: Toss the cooked, room-temperature vermicelli with just enough Nuoc Cham to moisten the noodles.

From Seattle Times • Feb. 18, 2023

Recipes include miso mushroom ragu with baked polenta and celery; vermicelli spring rolls; and a sweet potato and black sesame marble bundt.

From Salon • Jan. 2, 2023

She opened the refrigerator and I saw familiar containers of chicken salad, vermicelli, vegetables, stuffed squash, all things I had brought for Morrie.

From "Tuesdays with Morrie" by Mitch Albom