caramelize
verb
car·a·mel·ize
ˈkär-mə-ˌlīz 
ˈker-ə-mə-,
ˈka-rə-mə-
caramelized; caramelizing
1
transitive
: to subject (sugar or the sugar content of a food) to caramelization : to change into caramel (see caramel sense 1) by heating at high temperature
… flan bathed in caramelized sugar and topped with whipped cream …—
Penelope Casas
Penelope CasasAt a restaurant, some unlucky prep cook gets to peel, slice, and caramelize bags of onions in the morning.—Stephanie Alleyne
Stephanie Alleyne2
intransitive
: to change to caramel
Fructose begins to rapidly caramelize at around 200 degrees …—Matthew Card
: to undergo caramelization
Matthew CardThese sweet potatoes caramelize slightly in the oven, which gives them a sweet crunch as their flesh remains creamy.—Lesley Porcelli
Lesley PorcelliExamples of caramelize in a Sentence
The onions will take five minutes to caramelize.
Caramelize two cups of sugar.
Continue stirring until the sugar caramelizes.
Recent Examples on the Web
The rum offers rich aromas of molasses, brown sugar, golden raisins, and caramelized banana.
—Joseph V Micallef, Forbes.com, 10 July 2025
The result is a summer side dish that's filled with both rich caramelized flavor and bright lemon notes.
—Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 July 2025
Sausage connoisseurs can choose from some surprising options like Tracy’s Texas Ranger, which is topped with baked beans, coleslaw, caramelized onions, barbecue sauce, potato sticks, Cheddar cheese, and chili.
—Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 4 July 2025
Turn the meaty side down and grill for about 5 to 8 minutes just so the sauce caramelizes a bit.
—Susan Selasky, Freep.com, 4 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for caramelize
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Joseph V Micallef, Forbes.com, 10 July 2025
The result is a summer side dish that's filled with both rich caramelized flavor and bright lemon notes.
—Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 July 2025
Sausage connoisseurs can choose from some surprising options like Tracy’s Texas Ranger, which is topped with baked beans, coleslaw, caramelized onions, barbecue sauce, potato sticks, Cheddar cheese, and chili.
—Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 4 July 2025
Turn the meaty side down and grill for about 5 to 8 minutes just so the sauce caramelizes a bit.
—Susan Selasky, Freep.com, 4 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for caramelize
Cite this Entry
“Caramelize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/caramelize. Accessed 19 Jul. 2025.
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