paprika

noun

pa·​pri·​ka pə-ˈprē-kə 

pa-

: a usually mild red seasoning consisting of the dried finely ground pods of various sweet peppers

also : a sweet pepper used for making paprika

Examples of paprika in a Sentence

tomato sauce made with garlic, paprika, and pepper

Recent Examples on the Web

In a large bowl, combine the beef, pork, chorizo, garlic, ketchup, salt, cumin, and paprika. — ABC News, 7 Oct. 2026

Between the garlic, oregano, cumin, and paprika, this weeknight dinner definitely isn’t lacking in flavor. — Emily Laurence Sardinha, Bon Appetit Magazine, 3 Oct. 2026

Adding paprika, cinnamon, garlic and tomato paste to the yogurt gives the chicken a particularly rich flavor and color. — Melissa Clark, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2026

Scientists evaluated ingredients like purple beet juice, paprika and annatto, a natural seed extract from the achiote tree that grows in tropical regions of the Americas. — Charlotte Observer, 22 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Hungarian, from Serbian & Croatian, from papar ground pepper, ultimately from Latin piper — more at pepper

First Known Use

1830, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for paprika

• arnica
• carica
• rebekah
• turcica
• chica

Kids Definition

paprika

noun

pa·​pri·​ka pə-ˈprē-kə 

pa-

: a mild red spice consisting of the dried finely ground fruit of various cultivated sweet peppers