chocolate

noun

choc·​o·​late ˈchä-k(ə-)lət How to pronounce chocolate (audio) ˈchȯ- How to pronounce chocolate (audio)
Synonyms of chocolatenext
1
: a food prepared from ground roasted cacao beans
The cake recipe calls for four squares of chocolate.
2
: a small candy with a center (such as a fondant) and a chocolate coating
gave her a box of chocolates
3
: a beverage made by mixing chocolate with water or milk
The boy stirred the chocolate before drinking it.
4
: a brownish gray
The bird's plumage was a shade of chocolate.
chocolate adjective

Examples of chocolate in a Sentence

The cake recipe calls for four squares of chocolate. She gave me a box of chocolates for my birthday.
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.
Byblow says earth tones will be major this season — think rusty red, forest green, burnt orange, and chocolate brown. — Jamie Allison Sanders, PEOPLE, 30 Aug. 2026 The rich chocolate and salty sweet bacon combo as well as the fluffy peanut butter mousse is what sets this dish apart from other s’mores. — Aly Walansky, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026 This is to help chocolate layer not stick to sides when later hardened. — ABC News, 29 Aug. 2026 The chocolate brown hue is so classic, and the crossbody design is perfectly practical. — Annie Blackman, InStyle, 29 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for chocolate

Word History

Etymology

Spanish, from Nahuatl chocolātl, probably an alteration of eastern Nahuatl dialect chikolātl, from chikolli hook (probably used to refer to the beater used to mix chocolate with water) + ātl water, liquid

First Known Use

1604, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Time Traveler
The first known use of chocolate was in 1604

Phrases Containing chocolate

Browse Nearby Words

chocoholic
chocolate
chocolate-box
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Chocolate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/chocolate. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

chocolate

noun
choc·​o·​late ˈchäk-(ə-)lət How to pronounce chocolate (audio) ˈchȯk- How to pronounce chocolate (audio)
1
: a beverage of chocolate in water or milk
2
: a food prepared from ground roasted cacao beans
3
: a candy made of or coated with chocolate
4
: a brownish gray
chocolate adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on chocolate

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for chocolate

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about chocolate

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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