ciabatta: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Neutral to formal in culinary contexts; increasingly common in everyday use.
Quick answer
What does “ciabatta” mean?
An Italian style of white bread, baked in a long, flat shape, with a crisp, floured crust and a soft, porous interior characterized by large irregular holes.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
An Italian style of white bread, baked in a long, flat shape, with a crisp, floured crust and a soft, porous interior characterized by large irregular holes.
Any bread made in the style of traditional Italian ciabatta, sometimes used as the base for sandwiches (e.g., panini).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning. The word is used identically in culinary contexts.
Connotations
Connotes artisanal, premium, or authentic Italian-style bread in both varieties.
Frequency
Slightly more frequent in UK English, reflecting longer-established exposure to European bread varieties, but very common in both.
Grammar
How to Use “ciabatta” in a Sentence
[Determiner] + ciabatta[Adjective] + ciabattaciabatta + [prepositional phrase: with/to]ciabatta + [made from/of]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “ciabatta” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The bakery will ciabatta the dough for a full 18 hours. (Non-standard, creative use.)
American English
- We decided to ciabatta our sandwich rolls for more flavour. (Non-standard, creative use.)
adverb
British English
- The bread was baked ciabatta-style. (Compound adverb)
American English
- They prepared the dough ciabatta-fashion. (Compound adverb)
adjective
British English
- The ciabatta-style loaf was perfect for dipping.
- She prefers a ciabatta base for her panini.
American English
- He ordered a ciabatta roll with his soup.
- The ciabatta-like texture was ideal.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in menus, bakery descriptions, and food retail (e.g., 'Our deli range features fresh ciabatta').
Academic
Rare; may appear in culinary history, food science, or cultural studies texts.
Everyday
Common in contexts of shopping, cooking, and eating out (e.g., 'Let's get a ciabatta for lunch').
Technical
Used in professional baking to specify hydration, fermentation method, and shaping technique.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “ciabatta”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “ciabatta”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “ciabatta”
- Mispronunciation: /saɪəˈbɑːtə/ (incorrect 'sigh-'), /kɪəˈbɑːtə/ (incorrect hard 'k').
- Misspelling: 'ciabata', 'chiabatta'.
- Using as a countable noun for slices: 'two ciabattas' is non-standard; prefer 'two pieces/slices of ciabatta'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It literally means 'slipper', referring to the bread's shape which is said to resemble a worn-out slipper.
No. While both are Italian, focaccia is a flatter, dimpled, oil-rich bread often baked in a sheet pan, whereas ciabatta is an elongated, high-hydration loaf with a more porous crumb.
It is often sliced and used for sandwiches (especially panini), toasted for bruschetta, or simply torn and dipped into olive oil or soups.
The large, irregular holes (or 'open crumb') result from a very wet dough and a specific folding technique during fermentation, which traps gas from the yeast.
An Italian style of white bread, baked in a long, flat shape, with a crisp, floured crust and a soft, porous interior characterized by large irregular holes.
Ciabatta is usually neutral to formal in culinary contexts; increasingly common in everyday use. in register.
Ciabatta: in British English it is pronounced /tʃəˈbæt.ə/, and in American English it is pronounced /tʃəˈbɑː.tə/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None directly associated. Figuratively, 'as full of holes as a ciabatta' is a potential but non-standard creative simile.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of the word 'slipper' (its Italian meaning). The flat, elongated shape of the bread resembles an old, soft slipper.
Conceptual Metaphor
BREAD IS A FOUNDATION/BASE (e.g., for sandwiches, bruschetta).
Practice
Quiz
What is the most accurate description of ciabatta?