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

My sister, the author Jacqueline Moriarty, works in a particularly beautiful chocolate shop, which is also a café and looks really magical, and her books often do have a magical side to them. — Olivia Squire, Condé Nast Traveler, 20 Oct. 2026

They’re all wrapped up in a decorative box with two bags of each flavor per day, and the set also comes in a vegan option with flavors like butterscotch, cherry pie, chocolate orange, and even gingerbread. — Caley Sturgill, Southern Living, 20 Oct. 2026

For Glamour, Miichelle Shrama broke down all the details of Mika Abdalla's double-chocolate brunette hair—and explained exactly how to ask for the look at the salon. — Emily Tannenbaum, Glamour, 20 Oct. 2026

All shades of brown have also been a part of 2025’s color story, from deep chocolate to sandy tones. — Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 19 Oct. 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