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

With the aroma and delicious taste of caramel and brioche flavors in every slice, this breakfast bread is truly indulgent. —Adam Mills, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 June 2025

The Añejo has notes of caramel, raisin, brown sugar and oak. —Renan Botelho, Footwear News, 17 June 2025

For scoops of small-batch salty caramel and black raspberry ice cream, don’t miss the now-50-year-old Island Creamery. —Laura Kiniry, Smithsonian Magazine, 9 June 2025

Fans can choose strawberry, caramel or brownie batter sauce to make the dessert their own. —Becca Longmire, People.com, 3 June 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