caramel

noun

car·​a·​mel ˈkär-məl  ˈker-ə-məl 

ˈka-rə-,

-ˌmel

1

: a usually firm to brittle, golden-brown to dark brown substance that has a sweet, nutty, buttery, or bitter flavor, is obtained by heating sugar at high temperature, and used especially as a coloring and flavoring agent

Caramel is an ingredient in many candies.

2

: a firm, chewy, usually caramel-flavored candy made with sugar, cream, corn syrup, and butter

a bag of caramels

Examples of caramel in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Although this impossible-to-photograph version of the ever-popular Salted Nut Roll isn’t much to look at, the peanuts, nougat, caramel and dark chocolate are a perfect combo. —Jess Fleming, Twin Cities, 26 Aug. 2025

The profile features oak and spice upfront, followed by creamy vanilla and caramel. —Emily Price, Forbes.com, 25 Aug. 2025

Meanwhile, fans have compared its flavor to caramel and even cheesecake. —Amy Gunia, CNN Money, 21 Aug. 2025

The Texas toast a la mode consists of French toast topped with Bluebell vanilla ice-cream, drizzled with caramel and maple syrup, and finally sprinkled with cinnamon cereal. —Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 21 Aug. 2025

Word History

Etymology

French, from Spanish caramelo, from Portuguese, icicle, caramel, from Late Latin calamellus small reed — more at shawm

First Known Use

1702, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing caramel

• crème caramel

Kids Definition

caramel

noun

car·​a·​mel ˈkär-məl  ˈkar-ə-məl 

-ˌmel

1

: burnt sugar used for coloring and flavoring

2

: a firm chewy candy

Medical Definition

caramel

noun

car·​a·​mel ˈkar-ə-məl  -ˌmel; ˈkär-məl 

: an amorphous brittle brown and somewhat bitter substance obtained by heating sugar and used as a coloring and flavoring agent