latte

noun

lat·​te ˈlä-(ˌ)tā 

plural lattes

: espresso mixed with hot or steamed milk : caffe latte

You can't go wrong with a classic latte. Espresso topped with foamy milk—heaven in a cup.

—The Daily Meal

If you don't know the difference between a latte and a cappuccino, ask! (Cappuccinos have more foam and less steamed milk than a latte, if you were gonna ask.)

—Tim Mulkerin

also : a similar drink made with an ingredient (such as rooibos or chai) other than espresso

Walk into a coffee shop or peruse Instagram and you're sure to have seen a matcha latte.

—Alysha Witwicki

We each stocked up on some loose leaf tea and ordered some drinks—a vanilla rooibos latte with coconut milk and kombucha on tap.

—Allison Fong

Examples of latte in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Start your day at Intelligentsia Coffee in downtown Austin near the Central Library, where an avena latte warms your hands and a flaky pastry warms your heart. —Ana Gutierrez, Austin American Statesman, 11 Feb. 2026

Same order as yesterday — a caramel latte, flat white, pastry, and kouign-amann. —R29 Team, Refinery29, 11 Feb. 2026

Courtesy of Starbucks New menu items The food and drink reboot follows several menu updates from Starbucks, including the introduction of protein lattes and expanded fall menu offerings last year. —Mary Cunningham, CBS News, 9 Feb. 2026

In contrast to Luckin's typical offerings priced at roughly $1 or $2 for an Americano or latte, the flagship store has nudged prices slightly higher for a range of pour-over and cold brew coffee drinks. —Evelyn Cheng, CNBC, 8 Feb. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1985, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing latte

• caffe latte
• chai latte

Rhymes for latte

• ay
• bay
• bey
• brae
• cay
• chez
• dey
• dray
• fay
• fey
• flay
• fray