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

Chewy, oily mouth feel in this semi-complex wine with a finish that includes slight caramel and lemon/line flavors. —Tom Mullen, Forbes.com, 15 June 2025

The brown butter gives the recipe a slight caramel flavor that pairs well with the slightly bitter chocolate. —Staff Author, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 June 2025

Unlike the caramel hues that dominated summer 2024, Smith says this shade leans more neutral, and of course, it is influenced by the popularity of Pantone’s Color of 2025: mocha mousse. —Denise Primbet, Refinery29, 13 June 2025

Instead of a pop of purple with her shoes, Queen Camilla wore a pair of patent leather neutral tone caramel pumps. —Julia Teti, Footwear News, 12 June 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