paparazzo

noun

pa·​pa·​raz·​zo ˌpä-pə-ˈrät-(ˌ)sō 

plural paparazzi ˌpä-pə-ˈrät-(ˌ)sē 

: a freelance photographer who aggressively pursues celebrities for the purpose of taking candid photographs

a movie star surrounded by a swarm of paparazzi

Examples of paparazzo in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

But in a motion last week, Lively’s team objected to that location, saying that Baldoni’s lawyers were setting up a media ambush, in which Lively would be besieged by paparazzi on her way in and out. —Gene Maddaus, Variety, 14 July 2025

But in an Instagram post, Hudgens slammed paparazzi for violating the family's privacy while confirming the birth. —Jay Stahl, USA Today, 12 July 2025

Aside from welcoming his son and hinting at new music, Bieber has recently been in the news on more than a few occasions for posting cryptic messages on Instagram about haters, paparazzi and God’s forgiveness. —Karu F. Daniels, New York Daily News, 10 July 2025

The Parent Trap alum has said that being a constant target of the paparazzi prompted her move to Dubai. —Christopher Rudolph, People.com, 1 Aug. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Italian, from Paparazzo, surname of such a photographer in the film La dolce vita (1959) by Federico Fellini

First Known Use

1961, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for paparazzo

• palazzo
• terrazzo

Kids Definition

paparazzo

noun

pa·​pa·​raz·​zo ˌpä-pə-ˈrät-(ˌ)sō 

plural paparazzi ˌpä-pə-ˈrät-(ˌ)sē 

: a freelance photographer who aggressively pursues celebrities for the purpose of taking candid photographs