Meaning of vanilla in English

Table of contents
  1. Pronunciation
  2. Noun
    1. Etymology
    2. Definitions

  1. Pronunciation

    /vəˈnɪlə/

    US accent Play button

    UK accent Play button

  1. Noun

    vanilla

    Etymology

    mid 17th century: from Spanish vainilla‘pod’, diminutive of vaina‘sheath, pod’, from Latin vagina‘sheath’. The spelling change was due to association with French vanille

    Definitions

    1. any of numerous climbing plants of the genus Vanilla having fleshy leaves and clusters of large waxy highly fragrant white or green or topaz flowers
  2. 2. a flavoring prepared from vanilla beans macerated in alcohol (or imitating vanilla beans)
  3. 3. a distinctive fragrant flavor characteristic of vanilla beans

Famous quotes

  • « My husband cooks fancier food for himself than I've ever cooked on-air. I call him from the road, and he's making champagne-vanilla salmon or black-cherry pork chop. Half of me is feeling unworthy. Not only am I not a chef, I'm not a better cook than my own husband! »
    Rachael Ray
  • « In the past few years, we've been doing amazing stuff with desserts. Pastry chefs have been using herbs and spices in their desserts. So vanilla cake doesn't have to be just vanilla, it can have a little thyme. Or you could have a custard with a little lavender in it, which is just amazing. »
    Ron Ben-Israel

Browse dictionary