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

Instead, there’s the rich, warm flavor of real brown butter and caramel, complemented by salty peanut butter. —Sam Stone, Bon Appetit Magazine, 15 Aug. 2025

The finish is long, sweet, and slightly drying with lingering caramel and oak spices. —Joseph V Micallef, Forbes.com, 14 Aug. 2025

Yves Saint Laurent’s new Caban scent combines hay and tobacco with classic gourmand notes of tonka bean, almond, and caramel, while Marissa Zappas has Violette Hay that includes hay and violet notes (a common pairing) as well as carrot seeds, suede, and saffron. —Sophia Panych, Allure, 13 Aug. 2025

It is usually baked in a Bundt pan and often topped with a caramel or brown sugar glaze. —Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 11 Aug. 2025

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