vanilla

noun va·nil·la \ və-ˈni-lə , -ˈne- \

|Updated on: 15 Jul 2018

Examples: vanilla in a Sentence

Editor's Note: Did You Know?

Definition of vanilla

1 a : vanilla bean

b : a commercially important extract of the vanilla bean that is used especially as a flavoring

2 : any of a genus (Vanilla) of tropical American climbing epiphytic orchids

See vanilla defined for English-language learners

See vanilla defined for kids

vanilla was our Word of the Day on 11/19/2010. Hear the podcast!

Examples of vanilla in a Sentence

The frosting is flavored with vanilla.

Recent Examples of vanilla from the Web

Her modern twist on a Manhattan combines Whistlepig Rye, Grappa and vanilla and chocolate bitters.

— grace palmieri, azcentral, "16 Arizona distillers, brewers, bartenders and others helping us drink smarter," 3 July 2018
The cola de mono is made of aguardiente, milk, coffee and is flavored with vanilla and cloves.

— princess cruises, Bon Appetit, "Set Sail for Adventure This Holiday Season," 2 July 2018
Traditional flavors like chocolate and vanilla will still be offered, but there are also flavors such as coffee and doughnut, cornbread and apple tartin, sweet cream and peach, and strawberry toasted pistachio.

— austen erblat, Sun-Sentinel.com, "Hot ice cream sandwich on Proper’s menu in Delray," 26 June 2018
Blue Bell originally made The Great Divide years ago to satisfy the families who had the tough decision of deciding between buying vanilla or chocolate by putting both flavor in a carton, the company replied on Facebook.

— USA TODAY, "Interracial family asks Blue Bell to change name of Great Divide, the chocolate-vanilla mix," 14 June 2018
Well, this bra is available in four bi-color options — black and pewter, white and beige, turquoise and mushroom, and vanilla and violet — so take your pick for $20.

— maria cassano, Allure, "Journelle's Semi-Annual Sale Is Offering 50% Off on Bras, Underwear, and More," 14 June 2018
Don’t fret: Chocolate and vanilla are also available for the less adventurous dessert connoisseurs.

— emma krupp, RedEye Chicago, "Summer 2018 guide to Chicago's Riverwalk," 7 June 2018
Fast Company reports that it's brewed with vanilla and butterfly pea flower, which gives the ale a purple hue.

— olivia harrison, refinery29.com, "Peeps-Flavored Beer Is Reportedly Being Released For Easter," 27 Mar. 2018
Add the vanilla and butter and beat over low speed until thoroughly mixed.

— noelle carter, latimes.com, "Culinary SOS: The rhubarb tart from Church & State," 9 Mar. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'vanilla.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of vanilla

borrowed from New Latin, borrowed from Spanish vainilla "the vanilla plant and fruit," diminutive of vaina "sheath, pod," going back to Latin vāgīna "scabbard, sheath"; replacing earlier vaynilla, borrowed from Spanish

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1662

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

Other Food Terms

Reuben, calamari, chuck, curry, edamame, foie gras, hummus, leaven, nonpareil, peel

vanilla

adjective

Definition of vanilla

1 : flavored with vanilla

2 : lacking distinction : plain, ordinary, conventional

See vanilla defined for English-language learners

Examples of vanilla in a Sentence

The décor is pretty vanilla.
a plain vanilla version of a song that's been recorded more times than necessary

Did You Know?

For lexicographers, vanilla has more flavor than chocolate, because it adds a tasty synonym for plain to the English menu. The noun vanilla was first served up in 1662, but it took almost 200 years for its adjective use to become established for things, like ice and sugar, flavored with vanilla. By the 1970s vanilla was perceived as being the plain flavor of the ice-cream world, and people began using the word itself to describe anything plain, ordinary, or conventional.

First Known Use of vanilla

1846

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

Other Food Terms

Reuben, calamari, chuck, curry, edamame, foie gras, hummus, leaven, nonpareil, peel

VANILLA Defined for English Language Learners

vanilla

noun

Definition of vanilla for English Language Learners

: a dark substance that is made from the beans of a tropical plant and that is used to flavor food

vanilla

adjective

Definition of vanilla for English Language Learners

: having the flavor of vanilla
: not having any special features or qualities

VANILLA Defined for Kids

vanilla

noun va·nil·la \ və-ˈni-lə , -ˈne- \

Definition of vanilla for Students

: a substance extracted from vanilla beans and used as a flavoring especially for sweet foods and beverages

Medical Dictionary

vanilla

noun va·nil·la \ və-ˈnil-ə , -ˈnel- \

medical Definition of vanilla

1 a : vanilla bean

b : a commercially important extract of the vanilla bean that is prepared by soaking comminuted vanilla beans in water and ethyl alcohol and that is used especially as a flavoring (as in pharmaceutical preparations)

2 : any of a genus (Vanilla) of tropical American climbing orchids