ENGLISH
REFERENCE

paparazzi

n. plural-only
B2 Upper Intermediate US //ˌpɑpɑˈɹɔˌzi// UK //pˌɑːpəɹˈɑːtsi// pa·parazzi Dialect

n. photographers who follow famous people to take pictures of them for newspapers or magazines. They often follow celebrities in public places to get private or candid shots.

n. freelance photographers who pursue celebrities to obtain candid photographs for sale to media outlets. Often carries a pejorative connotation regarding intrusive or aggressive behavior.


SIMPLE

The actress was surrounded by paparazzi as she left the restaurant.

CONTEXTUAL

The royal couple requested more privacy after being chased through the city streets by a group of aggressive paparazzi.

COMPLEX

The rise of social media has somewhat diminished the market for traditional paparazzi, as celebrities now curate their own public images through direct digital engagement with their followers.

Synonyms
Origin

From Italian paparazzi, plural of paparazzo.

Usage

Plural form of the Italian 'paparazzo'; takes a plural verb. While 'paparazzo' is the singular form, 'paparazzi' is frequently used as a collective plural in English.

Pitfall

The paparazzi is waiting outside.The paparazzi are waiting outside.Paparazzi is a plural noun and requires a plural verb.

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