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

Although they were once swarmed by fans and paparazzi at every turn, the actors have had a more relaxed relationship with the media in recent years. —Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 6 Nov. 2025

Only one cast member from season nine of Love Is Blind attracted the paparazzi to Denver, Colorado. —Jennifer Zhan, Vulture, 3 Nov. 2025

In a recent profile in The New Yorker, Lawrence explained that since becoming a mother, she's had to change her relationship to the paparazzi, which has had the bonus knock-on effect of giving us plenty of street style inspo. —Elizabeth Logan, Glamour, 28 Oct. 2025

Anderson was snapped by the paparazzi on her way to the event, bundled up in a long light grey Retori coat and oversized sunglasses. —Kelsey Stewart, Footwear News, 26 Oct. 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