# macaroni

/ˌmækɝˈoʊni/ (US) · /mˌækɐɹˈəʊni/ (UK) · CEFR A2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/macaroni
Updated: 2026-05-08

## Definition

a type of pasta that looks like small, curved tubes. It is very popular in dishes like macaroni and cheese.

For teachers: a variety of dry pasta shaped like short, narrow, curved tubes. Derived from the Italian 'maccheroni'.

## Examples

- I am cooking macaroni for dinner tonight.
- The school cafeteria serves macaroni with a creamy cheese sauce every Friday.
- While artisanal pasta shapes vary by region, the humble macaroni remains a global staple due to its ability to hold thick sauces within its hollow center.

## Usage notes

- Usually uncountable when referring to the food as a mass, but can be countable when referring to individual pieces of pasta.

---

From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.