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Definition of paella
paella
/pɑːˈeɪ.ə/
pa · el · la
Plural:paellas
paella Lexical Profile
CEFR
B2
Grade
6
Tier
2
Usage
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paella Game Scores & Validity
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• noun
1
A traditional Spanish rice dish originating from the Valencia region, typically cooked in a wide, shallow pan with saffron, vegetables, and various combinations of meat, poultry, or seafood.
Example
"We enjoyed a massive seafood paella infused with saffron at a seaside restaurant in Barcelona."
2
The large, shallow, two-handled metal pan traditionally used to cook and serve the Spanish rice dish of the same name.
Example
"The chef purchased a seasoned carbon steel paella to ensure the rice developed a perfect, crispy crust on the bottom."
Synonyms
View all synonyms for paella• Rhymes for paella
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed from Valencian Catalan 'paella' (meaning 'pan'), which derives from the Old French 'paelle' or directly from Latin 'patella', a diminutive of 'patina' (shallow pan).
Cite this Entry
Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Paella. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Oct 13, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/paella