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

Chick-fil-A's waffle fries are made from potatoes cooked in canola oil and vegetable oils, with a coating that includes modified food starches made of corn, potato and tapioca, rice flour, salt, leavening agents and seasonings, according to the nutritional information listed online. —Deirdre Bardolf, FOXNews.com, 4 Mar. 2026

Boba tea, also known as bubble tea or pearl milk tea, is a popular beverage made using tea, milk, and boba (tapioca pearls). —Sherri Gordon, Health, 19 Feb. 2026

Even the gluten-free crust, made from a combination of tapioca and rice flour, is the perfect blend of soft, doughy edges and a crusty bottom. —Eddie Fontanez, AZCentral.com, 18 Feb. 2026

Gluten-Free Bread Gluten-free bread is typically made with corn, cassava, potato, tapioca, and rice starch. —Lindsey Desoto, Verywell Health, 17 Feb. 2026

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