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

“The event brings families together to celebrate, complete with the famous caramel corn, and has become a long-standing part of the local community,” he 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

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