mozzarella
Americannoun
noun
Etymology
Origin of mozzarella
1910–15; < Italian, equivalent to mozza a kind of cheese (literally, a cut; compare mozzare to cut off ) + -rella -rel
Compare meaning
How does mozzarella compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:
Explanation
Mozzarella is a soft, mild cheese that's commonly used to make pizza. If you love that stretchy white melted cheese on your slice of pepperoni, you're a fan of mozzarella. Traditionally, mozzarella has been made from Italian water buffalo milk, although these days it's common to find cow's milk mozzarella in the store. Mozzarella is pale in color and very moist. Fresh mozzarella comes in liquid brine, and must be eaten within a few days, although shelf-stable "low-moisture" mozzarella lasts much longer and often comes already shredded. The name mozzarella comes from the Italian mozzare, "to cut off."
Vocabulary lists containing mozzarella
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.
A chicken parmesan version — marinara, mozzarella, maybe a little basil — feels like the most dramatic.
From Salon ● May 22, 2026
Cue the return of bottomless mozzarella sticks and all-you-can-eat shrimp.
From MarketWatch ● May 14, 2026
Asked to name the best thing he ate during season two, he immediately says "everything" - before singling out a handful of pasta dishes, including one made with different types of mozzarella.
From BBC ● May 9, 2026
The appetizers, especially the charred grapes with mozzarella cheese and balsamic vinegar cream, were better than the main course.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 1, 2026
“I got ya, kid,” he says, sprinkling tons of mozzarella on top of both of ours.
From "Blended" by Sharon M. Draper
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.
