primavera

¹ American  

[pree-muh-vair-uh] / ˌpri məˈvɛər ə /

noun

1. a central American tree, Cybistax donnell-smithii, of the bignonia family, having showy, tubular yellow flowers.

2. Also called white mahogany.  the hard, yellowish-white wood of this tree, used for making furniture.

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primavera ² American  

[pree-muh-vair-uh, pree-mah-ve-rah] / ˌpri məˈvɛər ə, ˌpri mɑˈvɛ rɑ /

adjective

Italian Cooking.

1. prepared with a variety of chopped or minced vegetables.

   pasta primavera.

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Etymology

Origin of primavera¹

1890–95; < Spanish: literally, spring; so called from its early flowering; see primaveral

Origin of primavera²

Apparently ellipsis from Italian alla primavera in the style of springtime; see primaveral

Example Sentences

Not too long ago, a reader wrote to me asking how to make a truly great pasta primavera, an Italian-American dish from the 1970s.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 19, 2026

Fava beans are exceptional in a spring risotto, like this recipe from NYT Cooking that incorporates asparagus and saffron, or pasta primavera, or even a fava bean lemon ricotta dip spread on crostini.

From Salon • May 14, 2025

Desde la primavera, ha tenido que mandar más de 2000 dólares para cubrir esos mismos gastos, algo que ha podido hacer al trabajar más horas al día.

From New York Times • Jul. 31, 2023

This version, brimming with herbs, spinach, asparagus and peas, is an ode to spring, like a baked pasta primavera in its richest form.

From Seattle Times • May 14, 2023

"Ecco la primavera, Signor!" she said, with a smile.

From The Master-Christian by Corelli, Marie