chocolate

noun

choc·​o·​late ˈchä-k(ə-)lət  ˈchȯ- 

1

: a food prepared from ground roasted cacao beans

The cake recipe calls for four squares of chocolate.

2

: a small candy with a center (such as a fondant) and a chocolate coating

gave her a box of chocolates

3

: a beverage made by mixing chocolate with water or milk

The boy stirred the chocolate before drinking it.

4

: a brownish gray

The bird's plumage was a shade of chocolate.

chocolate adjective

Examples of chocolate in a Sentence

The cake recipe calls for four squares of chocolate.

She gave me a box of chocolates for my birthday.

Recent Examples on the Web

Straight from Grandma’s recipe box, these old-fashioned soft drop cookies are topped with rich chocolate frosting. — Cameron Beall, Southern Living, 1 Aug. 2026

Dessert is a simple but satisfying vanilla or chocolate soft serve (or a swirl). — Connie Ogle july 31, Miami Herald, 31 July 2026

Although cream cheese frosting was the most popular in our recent birthday cake poll, yellow cake with chocolate frosting — along with classic chocolate-on-chocolate — came in right behind it. — Carolynn Carreño, Los Angeles Times, 31 July 2026

Served on a lazy Susan, multiple scoops of ice cream are surrounded by mini cones, berries, hot fudge, caramel, M&M’s, Reese’s, and other assorted chocolates. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

Spanish, from Nahuatl chocolātl, probably an alteration of eastern Nahuatl dialect chikolātl, from chikolli hook (probably used to refer to the beater used to mix chocolate with water) + ātl water, liquid

First Known Use

1604, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Phrases Containing chocolate

• baker's chocolate
• baking chocolate
• chocolate-box
• chocolate chip cookie
• chocolate milk
• dark chocolate
• hot chocolate
• milk chocolate
• plain chocolate
• sweet chocolate
• white chocolate

Kids Definition

chocolate

noun

choc·​o·​late ˈchäk-(ə-)lət  ˈchȯk- 

1

: a beverage of chocolate in water or milk

2

: a food prepared from ground roasted cacao beans

3

: a candy made of or coated with chocolate

4

: a brownish gray

chocolate adjective