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

Long to make Crumbl’s semi-sweet chocolate chunk cookies, Chipotle’s chicken al pastor, Portillo’s famous chocolate cake, California Pizza Kitchen’s carne asada pizza or Maggiano’s Italian meatballs? —Judy Bart Kancigor, Oc Register, 28 May 2026

Another day, another recall and this one impacts the chocolate lovers out there. —Melissa Locker, Southern Living, 28 May 2026

The men’s model features a double strap in suede or leather with a metal buckle, and the color palette includes chocolate, hazelnut and licorice. —Andrea Onate, Footwear News, 28 May 2026

In Paris, beloved renditions include individual-sized chocolate-praline Paris-Brest at Maison Philippe Conticini, as well as the exquisite dark-chocolate Paris-Brest made by celebrity pâtissier Pierre Hermé. —Jen Rose Smith, CNN Money, 28 May 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