caramel

noun

car·​a·​mel ˈkär-məl  ˈker-ə-məl 

ˈka-rə-,

-ˌmel

1

: a usually firm to brittle, golden-brown to dark brown substance that has a sweet, nutty, buttery, or bitter flavor, is obtained by heating sugar at high temperature, and used especially as a coloring and flavoring agent

Caramel is an ingredient in many candies.

2

: a firm, chewy, usually caramel-flavored candy made with sugar, cream, corn syrup, and butter

a bag of caramels

Examples of caramel in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Drizzle on chocolate sauce or caramel sauce when serving. —Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 11 June 2024

Buckner’s 17 is a single-barrel, cask-strength, unfiltered bourbon that has matured for 17 years, creating a rich amber hue, a complex combination of smokey flavors, and notes of honeyed vanilla, caramel and buttery cream on the finish, according to the distillery. —Gege Reed, The Courier-Journal, 6 June 2024

Back in November 2023, Reese announced the launch of the Caramel Big Cup, which adds a layer of caramel to the original snack. —Gabrielle Rockson, Peoplemag, 4 June 2024

For example, gold rum adds a caramel flavor, spiced rum adds notes of ginger, cinnamon and cloves and coconut rum intensifies the coconut flavor. Or skip the rum. —Robin Miller, The Arizona Republic, 24 May 2024

Word History

Etymology

French, from Spanish caramelo, from Portuguese, icicle, caramel, from Late Latin calamellus small reed — more at shawm

First Known Use

1702, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing caramel

• crème caramel

Kids Definition

caramel

noun

car·​a·​mel ˈkär-məl  ˈkar-ə-məl 

-ˌmel

1

: burnt sugar used for coloring and flavoring

2

: a firm chewy candy

Medical Definition

caramel

noun

car·​a·​mel ˈkar-ə-məl  -ˌmel; ˈkär-məl 

: an amorphous brittle brown and somewhat bitter substance obtained by heating sugar and used as a coloring and flavoring agent