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Synonyms

cappuccino

American  
[kap-oo-chee-noh, kah-poo-, kahp-poot-chee-naw] / ˌkæp ʊˈtʃi noʊ, ˌkɑ pʊ-, ˌkɑp putˈtʃi nɔ /

noun

plural

cappuccinos

  1. a hot beverage consisting of espresso and foamed milk, often served with powdered cinnamon and topped with whipped cream.

cappuccino British  
/ ˌkæpʊˈtʃiːnəʊ /

noun

  1. coffee with steamed milk, sometimes served with whipped cream or sprinkled with powdered chocolate

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of cappuccino

First recorded in 1945–50; from Italian: literally, “capuchin,” so called from a fancied resemblance of the drink's color to the color of a Capuchin habit; see Capuchin ( def. )

Compare meaning

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Explanation

A cappuccino is a hot drink made with espresso and steamed milk. You might order a cappuccino at your favorite neighborhood cafe. Cappuccino is one of dozens of drink choices at any coffee shop that has an espresso machine. While many of these drinks were invented in the U.S., cappuccino is authentically Italian, traditionally served in a fairly small cup and made with equal parts strong espresso, steamed milk, and dense milk foam. The word itself comes from the brown color of the hoods worn by Capuchin monks in Italy.

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Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

I did not, so I arranged to road-test the Breville Oracle Jet—a foolproof Cadillac for cappuccino lovers, I was told.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 7, 2025

It was a pale cream color, the texture of cappuccino foam.

From Salon • May 26, 2025

Between sips of cappuccino, his creative spirit sparkles as he discusses Chronos and the Greek concept of emotional time.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 26, 2025

In his newly-opened coffee shop, Luai poured a cappuccino and said he had grown accustomed to the situation.

From BBC • Aug. 7, 2024

He gives me a pink lemonade, Hudson an iced mocha, and Harriett a cappuccino with caramel drizzle.

From "What If It's Us" by Becky Albertalli and Adam Silvera

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.