café au lait

noun

ca·fé au lait (ˌ)ka-ˈfā-ō-ˈlā

: coffee with usually hot milk in about equal parts

: the color of coffee with milk

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web That note carries over into a wonderfully fruity palate, dominated by ripe plum and cherry flavors that intermingle with orange, vanilla, caramel apple, and cafe au lait. —

Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 18 June 2021 Meg and Charles Wallace look and act eerily like my 12-year-old niece and 6-year-old nephew, right down to their cafe au lait complexions. —

Elizabeth Wellington, Philly.com, 13 Mar. 2018 Do still go to Carousel Bar at Hotel Monteleone and Cafe Du Monde, and definitely order the frozen cafe au lait at the latter. —

Cnt Editors, Condé Nast Traveler, 27 Feb. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'café au lait.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Word History

Etymology

French, coffee with milk

First Known Use

1763, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler

The first known use of café au lait was in 1763

See more words from the same year

Dictionary Entries Near café au lait

café au kirsch

café au lait

café au lait spot

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Café au lait.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/caf%C3%A9%20au%20lait. Accessed 4 Feb. 2023.

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