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

As for the corn, I like to throw the kernels directly into the boiling water, letting them soften as the pasta becomes pleasingly al dente.

From Seattle Times • Sep. 25, 2023

Cook, adding ¼ cup of the broth at a time, until the rice is al dente and loose but not soupy, another 8 to 10 minutes.

From Washington Times • Sep. 18, 2023

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

From Reuters • Aug. 30, 2023

They resembled noodles that had been cooked al dente.

From "The Hot Zone" by Richard Preston