chocolate

noun

choc·​o·​late ˈchä-k(ə-)lət  ˈchȯ- 

1

: a beverage made by mixing chocolate with water or milk

The boy stirred the chocolate before drinking it.

2

: a food prepared from ground roasted cacao beans

The cake recipe calls for four squares of chocolate.

3

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

gave her a box of chocolates

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

Known for its delicious bagels and chocolate babkas, Avner’s was a popular meeting place where customers would pull up a stool and chat on the sidewalk. —Hilary Whiteman, CNN Money, 20 Dec. 2025

Round out the date-night look with gold accessories and a neutral bag in another brown hue, such as chocolate brown. —Kelsey Stiegman, Glamour, 19 Dec. 2025

Stacked with three layers of decadent chocolatey-nut goodness—a cocoa-bourbon shortbread crust, gooey chocolate-bourbon filling, and a crunchy-sweet nutty topping—they're a luscious cross between pecan pie and brownies. —Jessica Saari Christensen, Better Homes & Gardens, 19 Dec. 2025

This gift box of 24 classic Ferrero Rocher hazelnut chocolate pralines is a sure crowd-pleaser. —Mia Huelsbeck, PEOPLE, 19 Dec. 2025

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 1

Phrases Containing chocolate

• baker's chocolate
• baking chocolate
• chocolate-box
• chocolate chip cookie
• 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