Goulash is a meat and vegetable stew that's seasoned with paprika. You should try goulash if you ever get the chance to visit Hungary, where it's one of the national dishes.
The Hungarian word for this delicious dish is gulyáshús, from gulyás, "herdsman," and hús, "meat." Historically, goulash was a stew cooked by shepherds using lamb or beef. The paprika came later, but today it's a vital part of an authentic goulash. North Americans sometimes use the word for a mixture of beef, macaroni, and tomato sauce, but true goulash is spicy and thick — and it definitely doesn't include macaroni.