What pasta shape's name means 'little worms' in Italian?

What pasta shape’s name means “little worms” in Italian? Vermicelli is the answer.

The name vermicelli comes from the Italian word vermicello, meaning “little worm,” a reference to the pasta’s long, thin, rounded strands. Vermicelli is traditionally associated with Campania and is generally thinner than spaghetti, although exact thickness has varied across regions and manufacturers. Like many pasta names, the term describes both shape and appearance rather than a single universally standardized size.

Vermicelli is often served with tomato-based sauces, seafood, broths, or lighter preparations where its fine strands can absorb flavor quickly. The word has also traveled widely: in parts of Asia, “vermicelli” commonly refers to thin noodles made from rice or other starches, so the ingredient can differ substantially from Italian wheat pasta.

Several wrong answers sound plausible because Italian pasta names frequently use vivid comparisons. Capellini and angel hair refer to extremely fine, hair-like strands, while spaghetti means “little strings.” Vermicelli should therefore be distinguished by its “little worms” meaning, not simply by being a thin noodle.