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

This version uses smoky cheeses and smoked paprika to give it a more complex flavor. —Jessica Saari Christensen, Better Homes & Gardens, 22 Dec. 2025

Adding spicy peppers or hot paprika to meals can naturally reduce food intake by 11% to 18% by slowing eating pace and allowing the brain more time to register fullness, researchers at Penn State University found. —Deirdre Bardolf, FOXNews.com, 20 Dec. 2025

Add black pepper, thyme, paprika and olive oil, mixing to form a paste. —Susan Selasky, Freep.com, 19 Dec. 2025

Add the puree, remaining black beans, remaining 2 cups of broth, tomatoes, chili powder, cumin, paprika, oregano, salt, and ground black pepper to the beef. —Erin Merhar, Southern Living, 15 Dec. 2025

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