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

Before the session, Travis was spotted by paparazzi wearing an all-black outfit consisting of a black T-shirt, black shorts and a black cap to protect his eyes and head from the sun. —Starr Bowenbank, People.com, 22 May 2025

The couple also doesn’t take them to public events where they could be photographed by paparazzi. —Stephanie Nolasco , Ashley Papa, FOXNews.com, 22 May 2025

In the photo, shot by Miles Diggs, pregnant Rihanna walks through the crowd of paparazzi under an umbrella holding a fur stole. —Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 5 May 2025

Her tragic death—being chased and pursued and hunted by the paparazzi to the bitter end—is an example of the level of obsession culture had around her. —Rachel Burchfield, Forbes.com, 24 Apr. 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