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
They’re topped with American cheese, caramelized onions and Kewpie mayo.
—Jared Kaufman, Twin Cities, 22 Oct. 2025
The key is to tame their bitterness by blanching the slices quickly in the pasta pot, then sear them in olive oil to caramelize them slightly, soften their tang and give them golden edges.
—The New York Times News Service Syndicate, Denver Post, 21 Oct. 2025
Roast until caramelized on bottom and tender, about 35 to 45 minutes (roasting times will vary depending on ripeness and size of pears).
—Cathy Thomas, Oc Register, 20 Oct. 2025
Roasted cauliflower, creamy Japanese eggplant, and hearty chickpeas form the base of this nourishing dish, all warmly spiced with garam masala and caramelized to perfection in a hot oven.
—Laura McLively, Mercury News, 15 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for caramelize
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Jared Kaufman, Twin Cities, 22 Oct. 2025
The key is to tame their bitterness by blanching the slices quickly in the pasta pot, then sear them in olive oil to caramelize them slightly, soften their tang and give them golden edges.
—The New York Times News Service Syndicate, Denver Post, 21 Oct. 2025
Roast until caramelized on bottom and tender, about 35 to 45 minutes (roasting times will vary depending on ripeness and size of pears).
—Cathy Thomas, Oc Register, 20 Oct. 2025
Roasted cauliflower, creamy Japanese eggplant, and hearty chickpeas form the base of this nourishing dish, all warmly spiced with garam masala and caramelized to perfection in a hot oven.
—Laura McLively, Mercury News, 15 Oct. 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 29 Oct. 2025.
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