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.
Vanilla wafer cookies provide a fun and unexpected crust that holds up decadent, creamy layers of chocolate and vanilla. — Mary Shannon Wells, Southern Living, 5 July 2026 Its chocolate scent comes bundled with theobromine, the compound behind chocolate’s toxicity, and many dogs will eat it. — Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 2 July 2026 There’s a traditiona strawberry shortcake dessert and a Cowboy Cookie, made with chocolate, oats, coconut and pecans. — Pamela Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 July 2026 When that comes, though memories of pizza, chocolate and jigsaws may be forgotten, Samsung will be launching what could be its most radical foldable yet. — David Phelan, Forbes.com, 1 July 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 7 Jul. 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
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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