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

See Examples For:

primavera

Luckily, farmers markets this time of year are full of spring produce that are right at home in a primavera: asparagus, snap peas, chives, leeks and fresh herbs.

From The Wall Street Journal ● May 19, 2026

Too many primavera recipes are weighed down with large unwieldy chunks of vegetables that have absolutely nothing to do with spring, the season that gives the dish its name.

From The Wall Street Journal ● May 19, 2026

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

“Still, when it is brilliant you are dazzled. Todeschini’s spaghetti primavera is as crisp and beautiful as a Matisse.”

From Washington Post ● Nov. 1, 2022

Another bird, the primavera, seems to be like our mockingbird, imitating the notes and cries of many other birds and animals.

From In Indian Mexico (1908) by Frederick Starr