chocolate

noun

choc·​o·​late ˈchä-k(ə-)lət  ˈchȯ- 

1

: a food prepared from ground roasted cacao beans

The cake recipe calls for four squares of chocolate.

2

: a small candy with a center (such as a fondant) and a chocolate coating

gave her a box of chocolates

3

: a beverage made by mixing chocolate with water or milk

The boy stirred the chocolate before drinking it.

4

: a brownish gray

The bird's plumage was a shade of chocolate.

chocolate adjective

Examples of chocolate in a Sentence

The cake recipe calls for four squares of chocolate.

She gave me a box of chocolates for my birthday.

Recent Examples on the Web

The point guard went sans athletic wear, sporting a pair of chocolate brown Prada heels from the brand’s fall/winter 2026 collection. — Amina Ayoud, Footwear News, 23 Aug. 2026

Right now, the best selection is at Free People, where there are four colors (classic pink, chocolate brown, champagne, and black) in stock in most sizes. — Tamim Alnuweiri, InStyle, 23 Aug. 2026

In accordance with the folkways of my rough generational cohort, someone had brought chocolates studded with small doses of hallucinogenic mushrooms. — Vinson Cunningham, New Yorker, 23 Aug. 2026

Most of the chocolate sold in supermarkets here is made in Europe – and sells at European prices. — Colette Davidson, Christian Science Monitor, 22 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Spanish, from Nahuatl chocolātl, probably an alteration of eastern Nahuatl dialect chikolātl, from chikolli hook (probably used to refer to the beater used to mix chocolate with water) + ātl water, liquid

First Known Use

1604, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Phrases Containing chocolate

• baker's chocolate
• baking chocolate
• chocolate-box
• chocolate chip cookie
• chocolate milk
• dark chocolate
• hot chocolate
• milk chocolate
• plain chocolate
• sweet chocolate
• white chocolate

Kids Definition

chocolate

noun

choc·​o·​late ˈchäk-(ə-)lət  ˈchȯk- 

1

: a beverage of chocolate in water or milk

2

: a food prepared from ground roasted cacao beans

3

: a candy made of or coated with chocolate

4

: a brownish gray

chocolate adjective