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Definition of tapioca

tapioca

/ˌtæp.iˈoʊ.kə/
tap · i · o · ca

Plural:tapiocas
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tapioca Lexical Profile

tapioca Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

A starchy, granular preparation extracted from the storage roots of the cassava plant, widely used as a thickening agent in cooking or formed into chewy pearls for beverages.

Example

"The popular Taiwanese bubble tea features sweet, chewy tapioca pearls resting at the bottom of the cup."


2

A sweet dessert pudding made with tapioca grains or flakes, typically mixed with milk or cream and flavored with vanilla.

Example

"For dessert, my grandmother always made a large bowl of warm, creamy tapioca."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for tapioca

• Rhymes for tapioca

Word Origin & Etymology

Borrowed into English in the early 18th century from Portuguese 'tapioca', which derives from the Tupi language word 'tipi'óka', meaning 'coagulant' or 'pressed-out juice' referring to the starchy extract of the cassava root.

Usage Trend

Historical frequency of usage in published text.

180019102020

Cite this Entry


Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Tapioca. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Oct 16, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/tapioca
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