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

Caramel Crunch Frosty Fusion: Blends the classic Frosty with crunchy toffee pieces and a sweet caramel sauce. —Gabe Hauari, USA Today, 12 May 2025

Then there's a third option: a Frosty blended with caramel sauce and crunchy toffee pieces. —Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 12 May 2025

The palate features buttered popcorn, apple pie/caramel apple, and wood spices. —Joseph V Micallef, Forbes.com, 10 May 2025

Taste handmade fudge, caramel apples or original recipe ice cream at Kilwins Black Mountain, then kick back in a rocking chair to watch the downtown buzz. —Melissa Oyler, Charlotte Observer, 6 May 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