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

Each bite of brothy ground lamb and beans is flavored with sweet paprika and a touch of red pepper flakes—the perfect savory-spicy balance. — Riley Wofford, Martha Stewart, 17 Sep. 2026

Stir in remaining 2 tablespoons pickle brine, onion powder, and paprika until combined. — Elizabeth Nelson, Southern Living, 10 Sep. 2026

Candied Bacon Morgans's Brooklyn Barbecue At Morgans's Brooklyn Barbecue in Brooklyn, New York, slices of Hatfield bacon seasoned with cayenne pepper, brown sugar and paprika. — Aly Walansky, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026

The Minneapolis company has shifted to fruit- and vegetable-based dyes as well as colors derived from spices like turmeric and paprika to give its cereals their customary bright colors. — Dee-Ann Durbin, Los Angeles Times, 28 Aug. 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