paprika: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B1Neutral
Quick answer
What does “paprika” mean?
A mild red powder made from ground dried sweet peppers, used as a spice to add color and flavor to food.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A mild red powder made from ground dried sweet peppers, used as a spice to add color and flavor to food.
The plant or type of pepper from which the spice is made; by extension, a rich orange-red color similar to that of the spice.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is virtually identical in meaning and frequency. The spice is a standard item in both culinary traditions.
Connotations
Neutral culinary term. May carry mild connotations of Hungarian, Spanish, or Central European cuisine.
Frequency
Equal frequency. A common household and culinary term in both varieties.
Grammar
How to Use “paprika” in a Sentence
Add [paprika] to [dish].Season with [paprika].[Dish] is flavored with [paprika].Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “paprika” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- He decided to paprika the potatoes before roasting.
American English
- She likes to paprika her deviled eggs for color.
adjective
British English
- The dish had a lovely paprika hue.
- It's a paprika-coloured fabric.
American English
- She wore a paprika-colored scarf.
- The sauce had a paprika tint.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in food manufacturing, import/export, or culinary supply contexts.
Academic
Rare, may appear in agricultural, historical, or cultural studies related to food.
Everyday
Common in cooking instructions, recipes, and general food discussion.
Technical
Used in food science, gastronomy, and professional cooking to specify spice type (e.g., 'smoked vs. sweet paprika').
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “paprika”
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “paprika”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “paprika”
- Misspelling as 'paprica' or 'paparika'.
- Using 'paprika' to refer to a fresh bell pepper (more common in some European languages).
- Pronouncing it with a strong /æ/ in American English where /ə/ is standard.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It can be. Sweet paprika is mild, while hot paprika contains some chili heat. Smoked paprika adds a smoky flavor.
Paprika is generally milder and sweeter, made from specific pepper varieties. Cayenne is much hotter and made from cayenne chilies.
The peppers used for paprika originated in the Americas but the spice is strongly associated with Hungarian and Spanish cuisine.
It can provide color like saffron but not the same flavor. It is not a direct substitute for hot chili powder due to its typically milder heat.
A mild red powder made from ground dried sweet peppers, used as a spice to add color and flavor to food.
Paprika is usually neutral in register.
Paprika: in British English it is pronounced /ˈpæprɪkə/, and in American English it is pronounced /pəˈprikə/ or /ˈpæprɪkə/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
PAPrika adds a red PAPer-like color to your food.
Conceptual Metaphor
PAPRIKA IS COLOR/VITALITY (e.g., 'The paprika gave the dish a vibrant look.').
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary use of paprika?