caramel

[ kar-uh-muhl, -mel, kahr-muhl ]

noun

1. a liquid made by cooking sugar until it changes color, used for coloring and flavoring food.
2. a kind of chewy candy, commonly in small blocks, made from sugar, butter, milk, etc.
3. a yellowish brown or tan color.

caramel

/ ˈkærəməl; -ˌmɛl /

noun

1. burnt sugar, used for colouring and flavouring food
2. a chewy sweet made from sugar, butter, milk, etc

Word History and Origins

Origin of caramel¹

First recorded in 1715–25; from French, from Spanish or Portuguese caramelo, from Late Latin calamellus “little reed” (by dissimilation), equivalent to calam(us) reed ( calamus ) + -ellus diminutive suffix; meaning changed by association with Medieval Latin cannamella, canna mellis, etc., “sugarcane,” equivalent to Latin canna cane + mel “honey” (genitive mellis )

Word History and Origins

Origin of caramel¹

C18: from French, from Spanish caramelo, of uncertain origin

Example Sentences

Each year the attraction brings in about 20,000 visitors, who leave smiling too with a free bag of caramel popcorn, Ortiz said.

From Los Angeles Times

It’s topped with whipped cream, caramel and cookie butter crumble.

From Salon

A deconstructed hazelnut dessert with a melody of different textures finished with a salted caramel ice cream.

From Salon

Their specific offerings include pretzels, caramels, chocolate, taffy and cupcakes... just to name a few.

From Salon

Kamala’s Coconut Jubilee features coconut ice cream with swirls of caramel and red, white and blue star-shaped sprinkles.

From Salon

Related Words

• carbohydrate

More About Caramel

What is caramel?

Caramel is a liquid made by heating sugar until it changes to a brownish color. Caramel is used for coloring or flavoring food.

Caramel is often used as a flavoring or sauce for a variety of foods, especially desserts, such as caramel ice cream and caramel-coated popcorn.

The word caramel can also refer to a chewy candy made from the heated sugar, milk, butter, and other ingredients. It’s often shaped into cubes and is sometimes covered in chocolate, which you might find in a box of Valentine’s Day chocolates.

Finally, caramel can refer to a tan or yellowish-brown color that resembles the color of the sugary liquid, as in The cat had a caramel-colored tail.

Example: My favorite candy is a chocolate bar filled with caramel.

Where does caramel come from?

The first records of the word caramel come from around 1715. It ultimately comes from the Late Latin calamellus, meaning “little reed.” This word is related to cannamella, the Latin word for sugarcane. The liquid caramel comes from heated sugar.

Caramel is used to give a sweet flavor to many different foods. It is likely to be used in dessert items, such as ice cream, chocolate, cake, and pie. Caramel is a nice treat. Because it is made of sugar, though, eating too much caramel has the same health risks as eating too much sugar.

Did you know … ?

What are some other forms related to caramel?

• caramels (plural noun)
• caramelize (verb)

What are some words that share a root or word element with caramel? 

• caramelize
• caramelization

What are some words that often get used in discussing caramel?

• candy
• sticky
• chewy

How is caramel used in real life?

Caramel is a very common ingredient used in many people’s favorite sweets and desserts.

this album giving me christmas & chill vibes with some milk and honey and silky smooth vocals like caramel on a mcflurry 10/10

— issa (@twaimz) October 30, 2020

I love caramel iced lattes ☺️

— R|B (@RonicaB_) October 30, 2020

Just had a slice of a caramel apple and feel reborn.

— Vicky Nguyen (@VickyNguyenTV) October 22, 2020

Try using caramel!

True or False?

Caramel is made from heating honey until it changes color.