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

Marshmallow, caramel accord, milky musks, lemon, peach skin and vanilla orchid make for the perfect treat. —Celia Shatzman, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2025

Order from the list of small plates—which includes fish bites and bourbon bacon—and top everything off with a pecan tart or mini Southern caramel bundt cake. —Lydia Mansel, Southern Living, 25 Feb. 2025

Caramel Popcorn Doughnut: An unglazed shell doughnut filled with caramel popcorn flavored Kreme filling, dipped in white icing and caramel popcorn and topped with red icing drizzles. —Gabe Hauari, USA TODAY, 18 Feb. 2025

International Delight has five foams on sale including caramel macchiato and French vanilla flavors, and its parent company Danone has created a foams line with Silk and inked a partnership with Dunkin’. —Jordan Valinsky, CNN, 16 Feb. 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