caramel

noun

car·​a·​mel ˈkär-məl How to pronounce caramel (audio) ˈker-ə-məl How to pronounce caramel (audio)
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The line showcases vibrant pastels, cherry reds, pinks, greens, caramels and browns on sets, track suits, a boxy pinstriped blazer, knit dress, ostrich leather jacket and sporty separates — as a nod to L.A. and the early 2000s, in line with the brand’s genderfluid approach. Ryma Chikhoune, Footwear News, 4 Apr. 2025 Some taste like dark caramel, some like sausage rolls. Marta Zaraska, Smithsonian Magazine, 1 Apr. 2025 But the standout is the skyscraper Chocolate Cake composed of Devil’s food cake and chocolate caramel ganache drizzled with caramel sauce. Laurie Werner, Forbes.com, 29 Mar. 2025 The rest of its ingredients make up a veritable bouquet of vegetables: Carrots, celery, cabbage, onion, parsley, and turnip are diluted and mixed with the caramel color to make a shelf-stable seasoning condiment that boosts a wide variety of dishes. Catherine Jessee, Southern Living, 27 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for caramel

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of caramel was in 1702

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Caramel.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/caramel. Accessed 9 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

caramel

noun
car·​a·​mel ˈkär-məl How to pronounce caramel (audio) ˈkar-ə-məl How to pronounce caramel (audio)
-ˌmel
1
: burnt sugar used for coloring and flavoring
2
: a firm chewy candy

Medical Definition

caramel

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

More from Merriam-Webster on caramel

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