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

For extra flavor, saute the corn over medium-high heat for 5-7 minutes, until lightly caramelized. — ABC News, 15 Aug. 2026

The chicken is baked until juicy with crisp, golden skin, while tender caramelized onions and a savory pan sauce bring plenty of deep, comforting flavor. — Symiah Dorsey, Southern Living, 14 Aug. 2026

These mouthwatering short ribs are pan-seared until caramelized and then braised in a savory red wine sauce. — Robin Miller, AZCentral.com, 12 Aug. 2026

The lively herbs and rich tomato flavor—slightly sweet as if it had been caramelized—made this sauce delicious even at room temperature. — Sam Stone, Bon Appetit Magazine, 11 Aug. 2026

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