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

Bake for 60 to 70 minutes, until golden and caramelized on the cut side and cooked through and tender; a knife inserted into the center of the potato should slide through easily. — Rachel Gurjar, Bon Appetit Magazine, 30 Oct. 2026

Carrots, parsnips, Brussels sprouts and potatoes all caramelize harder with tallow than with neutral oil at high roasting temperatures. — Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Charlotte Observer, 12 Oct. 2026

For those who prefer a little more heat, the Spicy Chicken Cheesesteak starts with the chicken, cheese, and caramelized onions, then adds a spicy glaze. — Tricia Goss, Southern Living, 12 Oct. 2026

Roast the tomatillo, onion and garlic for 20 minutes or until soft and lightly caramelized. — Candy Hom, AJC.com, 11 Oct. 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