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noun

paparazzo

pa-puh-RA-tsoh

Paparazzo (noun) means a freelance photographer who trails celebrities to capture candid, often unwanted photos for sale to the media. Example: “A paparazzo followed the singer's car through the city.”

noun
1
A freelance photographer who trails celebrities to capture candid, often unwanted photos for sale to the media.
"A paparazzo followed the singer's car through the city."

How to use paparazzo

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA photographer who chases celebrities for candid shots to sell to tabloids.

Common mistake

The plural is "paparazzi" — "paparazzo" refers to just one photographer, though "paparazzi" is often used loosely for a single person too.

Word forms

paparazzi plural, paparazzos plural

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Test yourself on “paparazzo” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

A _____ followed the singer's car through the city.

Etymology

Borrowed from Italian, taken from the surname of a photographer character in Federico Fellini's film La Dolce Vita.

Origin: Italian

Rhymes for paparazzo

See all rhymes for paparazzo →

Frequently asked questions

What does “paparazzo” mean?

The word “paparazzo” means a freelance photographer who trails celebrities to capture candid, often unwanted photos for sale to the media. In plain terms, a photographer who chases celebrities for candid shots to sell to tabloids.

How do you pronounce “paparazzo”?

“Paparazzo” is pronounced pa-puh-RA-tsoh (/ˌpɑ.pəˈɹɑ.tsoʊ/ in IPA).

How do you use “paparazzo” in a sentence?

Here is “paparazzo” used in a sentence: “A paparazzo followed the singer's car through the city.”

What part of speech is “paparazzo”?

“Paparazzo” is a noun.

Where does the word “paparazzo” come from?

The word “paparazzo” comes from Italian. Borrowed from Italian, taken from the surname of a photographer character in Federico Fellini's film La Dolce Vita.

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