café au lait

noun

ca·​fé au lait (ˌ)ka-ˈfā-ō-ˈlā How to pronounce café au lait (audio)
1
: coffee with usually hot milk in about equal parts
2
: the color of coffee with milk

Word History

Etymology

French, coffee with milk

First Known Use

1763, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of café au lait was in 1763

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Cite this Entry

“Café au lait.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/caf%C3%A9%20au%20lait. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.

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