caramelize

verb

car·​a·​mel·​ize ˈkär-mə-ˌlīz 

ˈker-ə-mə-,

ˈka-rə-mə-

caramelized; caramelizing

1

transitive : to subject (sugar or the sugar content of a food) to caramelization : to change into caramel (see caramel sense 1) by heating at high temperature

… flan bathed in caramelized sugar and topped with whipped cream …

—Penelope Casas

At a restaurant, some unlucky prep cook gets to peel, slice, and caramelize bags of onions in the morning.

—Stephanie Alleyne

2

intransitive : to change to caramel

Fructose begins to rapidly caramelize at around 200 degrees …

—Matthew Card

: to undergo caramelization

These sweet potatoes caramelize slightly in the oven, which gives them a sweet crunch as their flesh remains creamy.

—Lesley Porcelli

Examples of caramelize in a Sentence

The onions will take five minutes to caramelize.

Caramelize two cups of sugar.

Continue stirring until the sugar caramelizes.

Recent Examples on the Web

The palate is delicate but flavorful, highlighting notes of vanilla custard, caramelized pear, lightly toasted coconut, and gentle cinnamon spice. —Joseph V Micallef, Forbes.com, 10 May 2025

The cabbage is wok-charred, its edges curled, caramelized, a little smoky and sweet. —Jenn Harris, Los Angeles Times, 5 May 2025

Fromage Croissant Toast: Features melty provolone and American cheeses, caramelized onions, arugula, and garlic aioli. —Gabe Hauari, USA Today, 1 May 2025

This slow-cooking method, often passed over by more industrialized distilleries in favor of high-pressure autoclaves or diffusers, allows the natural sugars to caramelize gently, preserving the earthy, rich characteristics of the plant. —Hudson Lindenberger, Forbes.com, 25 Apr. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1837, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for caramelize

• actualize
• antagonize
• apologise
• apologize
• capitalize
• categorize
• characterize
• commercialize
• conceptualize
• contrariwise
• criminalize
• decentralize