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noun

penna

/pˈenna/

pen; also a bird's feather

Definitions

  1. 1

    A writing instrument that uses ink (a pen)

    “Ho dimenticato la penna sul tavolo della cucina.”

    I forgot the pen on the kitchen table.

  2. 2

    A feather from a bird

    “Il pavone ha perso una penna colorata nel giardino.”

    The peacock lost a colorful feather in the garden.

  3. 3

    A type of short tube-shaped pasta (penne)

    “Stasera preparo la penna al pomodoro per cena.”

    Tonight I'm making penne with tomato sauce for dinner.

Word forms

Gender
feminine
Plural
penne
Usage
Regular feminine noun ending in -a; plural changes -a to -e.

The plural "penne" is also the famous pasta shape, named because the tubes resemble cut quill feathers.