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

The London Bar infuses Earl Grey into its caramel, with a biscuit crunch woven with notes of bergamot, vanilla, and sea salt. —Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 4 Dec. 2025

Serve the pudding warm and top with chocolate or caramel sauce. —Kathryn Gregory, Louisville Courier Journal, 1 Dec. 2025

Here's the ingredient list for Pepsi Prebiotic Cola and traditional Pepsi: Pepsi Prebiotic Cola: Carbonated water, cane sugar, soluble corn fiber, caramel color, phosphoric acid, natural flavor, Stevia extract and caffeine. —Mike Snider, USA Today, 28 Nov. 2025

The hard caramels melt into beautiful golden pools, which perfectly complement the cinnamon notes of these tender, chewy cookies. —Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 27 Nov. 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