paprika

American  

[pa-pree-kuh, puh-, pah-, pap-ri-kuh] / pæˈpri kə, pə-, pɑ-, ˈpæp rɪ kə /

noun

paprikas plural

1. a red, powdery condiment derived from dried, ripe sweet peppers.

---

adjective

1. cooked or seasoned with paprika.

paprika British  

/ ˈpæprɪkə, pæˈpriː- /

noun

1. a mild powdered seasoning made from a sweet variety of red pepper

2. the fruit or plant from which this seasoning is obtained

---

Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• paprikas
  plural

Etymology

Origin of paprika

First recorded in 1895–1900; from Hungarian, from Serbo-Croatian pàprika “pepper, paprika,” derivative of pȁpar “ground pepper,” from unattested Slavic pĭprŭ, pĭprĭ (compare Old Church Slavonic pĭprŭ, Slovenian péper, Czech pepř, Polish pieprz ), ultimately from Latin piper pepper

Explanation

Paprika is a bright red spice that's made from dried bell peppers. If you've ever tasted Hungarian goulash, you're familiar with the flavor of paprika. While it's common to associate paprika with Hungarian and other Eastern European cuisines, it's actually used all over the world. You'll find paprika flavoring Spanish dishes like gambas al ajillo (shrimp with garlic), Moroccan lentils, and even sprinkled on top of deviled eggs at a North American picnic. Paprika is a Hungarian word from a Latin root, piper, or "pepper."

Example Sentences

From there, the whole thing gets nudged further into depth with oregano, paprika and, perhaps unexpectedly, soy sauce.

From Salon • May 19, 2026

While that’s going, sauté thinly sliced onion in a pan until it softens, then add black beans, salt, pepper, paprika, and cumin.

From Salon • May 5, 2026

Layer in additional paprika — a blend of smoked and sweet.

From Salon • Apr. 7, 2026

Indeed, there’s shakshuka: a popular North African and Middle Eastern dish that’s essentially eggs poached in a simmering tomato sauce spiced with cumin, paprika and cayenne pepper.

From Salon • Apr. 6, 2026

I pour flour, salt, more salt, pepper, paprika, and a pinch of cayenne into a doubled paper sack.

From "The Help" by Kathryn Stockett