arepa
Americannoun
Etymology
Origin of arepa
First recorded in 1920–25; from Carib arepa, erepa “corn, cornmeal, cornmeal cake”
Explanation
An arepa is a South American flatbread made of finely-ground cornmeal. Crispy on the outside and soft inside, arepas are often filled with cheese, meat, avocado, or beans. An arepa looks a little like an English muffin — it's a corn cake that's commonly eaten with meals or as a snack in Columbia and Venezuela. Arepas can also be split in half and made into a savory sandwich, or deep fried with egg or other fillings inside. The word arepa is borrowed from the Cumanagoto erepa, "corn" or "cornbread."
Vocabulary lists containing arepa
5th Grade World Cuisine, List 2
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
The Sunbearer Trials
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
The Fire, the Water, and Maudie McGinn
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
In Florida, 90 minutes south of Mar-a-Lago, a jubilant crowd gathered outside an arepa restaurant, honking horns, cheering and waving Venezuelan and American flags.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 4, 2026
He also mentions the Korean-inspired arepa with fried pork and kimchi.
From Salon • Jul. 22, 2023
The easiest arepa is the one filled only with cheese.
From Salon • Jul. 22, 2023
Eduardo Egui, author of the arepa recipes, says that the most outlandish one he created is the "Fried Black Pudding Arepa with Reina Pepiada and sweet red pepper purée".
From Salon • Jul. 22, 2023
When the simple midday meal of corn arepa and black coffee was finished, Josè descended into the quiet town.
From Carmen Ariza by Stocking, Charles Francis
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
