paparazzo

noun

pa·​pa·​raz·​zo ˌpä-pə-ˈrät-(ˌ)sō 

plural paparazzi ˌpä-pə-ˈrät-(ˌ)sē 

: a freelance photographer who aggressively pursues celebrities for the purpose of taking candid photographs

a movie star surrounded by a swarm of paparazzi

Examples of paparazzo in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Certainly for the running packs of coursing-dog paparazzi, the business of the weekend lay in the effervescent social mix. —Guy Martin, Forbes.com, 29 June 2025

On the alternate cover, the musician channels Hollywood starlet candidly captured by paparazzi. —Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 25 June 2025

Three luxury hotels are officially booked and some water taxis reserved for the wedding, the local press is swarming the event with paparazzi and mega‑yachts crowding canals. —Kathleen Wong, USA Today, 25 June 2025

At the time, the car was being chased by paparazzi. —Mark Gray, People.com, 18 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

Italian, from Paparazzo, surname of such a photographer in the film La dolce vita (1959) by Federico Fellini

First Known Use

1961, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for paparazzo

• palazzo
• terrazzo

Kids Definition

paparazzo

noun

pa·​pa·​raz·​zo ˌpä-pə-ˈrät-(ˌ)sō 

plural paparazzi ˌpä-pə-ˈrät-(ˌ)sē 

: a freelance photographer who aggressively pursues celebrities for the purpose of taking candid photographs