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

Set the ramekins inside a baking pan in a hot water bath 1/4 up the sides and making sure to cover the pan with foil so that the flan does not caramelize in the oven. —Alex Cason, Charlotte Observer, 4 Aug. 2025

The secret lies in the temperature, timing, proper use of fat, and giving them enough space to caramelize properly. —Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 1 Aug. 2025

However, the juice is reduced and then aged for at least 12 years to achieve a rich, caramelized flavor and a dark, syrupy consistency. —Lynda Balslev, Mercury News, 30 July 2025

Tasting notes include fudge, vanilla, and caramelized sugar on the palate. —Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 28 July 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