al dente

[al den-tey, -tee, ahl den-te] / æl ˈdɛn teɪ, -ti, ɑl ˈdɛn tɛ /

ADJECTIVE

of a firmer texture when cooked

Synonyms

WEAK

firm medium

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.

The finished dish should be incredibly silky and thick, with perfectly al dente noodles slicked in a rich, lemony sauce.

From Salon • Apr. 14, 2025

Meanwhile, bring pasta water to a boil, and cook the orecchiette until it’s al dente.

From Seattle Times • Feb. 9, 2024

Durum, the hardest wheat, produces pasta with the prized "al dente" firm texture, unlike soft wheat.

From Reuters • Aug. 30, 2023

But it was very difficult for me to deal with al dente rice because I’m a rice snob from the land of Basmati rice.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 25, 2023

They resembled noodles that had been cooked al dente.

From "The Hot Zone" by Richard Preston