tapioca

noun

tap·​i·​o·​ca ˌta-pē-ˈō-kə 

1

: a usually granular preparation of cassava starch used especially in puddings and as a thickening in liquid food

also : a dish (such as pudding) containing tapioca

2

: cassava

Examples of tapioca in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Made from tapioca flour or a combination of rice and tapioca flour, the noodles have a slightly chewy texture and easily absorb flavor. —Christina Liao, Vogue, 27 Dec. 2024

Mica adds a light-reflecting sheen, tapioca starch absorbs excess oil, and pearl extract delivers amino acids to help moisturize and refresh hair. —Deanna Pai, Allure, 21 Feb. 2025

Substitutions: Potato starch can be replaced with cornstarch or tapioca starch. —The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Feb. 2025

Strawberry energy chew Ingredient list: Organic tapioca syrup, organic cane sugar, water, pectin, potassium citrate, citric acid, natural flavors, Vit B3/B6/B12, fruit blends of apple, blueberry, pomegranate Ultra-processed? —Matthew Kadey, Outside Online, 8 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Portuguese, from Tupi tɨpɨʔóka

First Known Use

1707, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for tapioca

• boca
• bocca
• broca
• cloaca
• coca
• loca
• phoca

Kids Definition

tapioca

noun

tap·​i·​o·​ca ˌtap-ē-ˈō-kə 

: grains or flakes of starch from the cassava root that are used especially in puddings and as a thickening in liquid foods

also : a food (as pudding) that contains tapioca