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

The golden-brown tips mimic the rich caramel swirling into your iced coffee, while the luminous cat-eye finish gives them an almost liquid-like effect. — Amanda Le, InStyle, 16 Oct. 2026

Housemade syrup flavors include salted Hugo Grey vanilla, Provis caramel, floral hibiscus rose and dekopon orange/thyme. — Kansas City Star, 21 Sep. 2026

Extra offerings include a Thai tea milkshake topped with coconut and drizzled caramel. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 Sep. 2026

The welcome drinks may be Champagne for you, mango and passionfruit smoothies for them, paired with cookies from the on-site patisserie and caramels in tiny crystal dishes. — Laura Dannen Redman, Robb Report, 10 Sep. 2026

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