noodle
/ˈnuː.dəl/ IELTSAcademic
noun
A long, thin strip of dough made from flour, water, and sometimes egg. It is cooked in soup or fried with sauce.
- She added noodles to the boiling water.
- We had chicken noodles for dinner.
- This restaurant makes fresh noodles daily.
verb
To think or play with something in a lazy or careless way. It is informal and often used with 'around' or 'about'.
- Stop noodling around and finish your work.
- He noodled on the guitar for an hour.
- I was noodling about with the cables.
Adinary Nuance
Noodle is more specific than pasta. Use it for long, thin strands, not for all Italian-style pasta. It is also more direct than ramen or spaghetti, which name specific noodle types. As a verb, noodle is informal and a little playful, unlike think or tinker.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- mì
- Spanish
- fideos
- Chinese
- 面条
- Japanese
- 麺
- Korean
- 국수
Etymology
Noodle came into English from German or Dutch in the 1700s, first as a word for a simple dough shape. The verb use developed later in informal American English.
Common phrases
noodle soupfried noodlesrice noodlesegg noodles
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- Is noodle singular or plural in everyday English?
- Usually, English speakers say "noodles" for the food. "Noodle" is possible, but less common.
- What is the difference between noodles and pasta?
- Noodles are often long, thin strands. Pasta is a broader word for many kinds of dough shapes.
- Is the verb noodle formal?
- No. The verb is informal and sounds casual or playful.
- Can I say noodle in IELTS writing?
- Yes, if you are writing about food or cooking. For formal writing, use it carefully and clearly.