vanilla

1 of 2

noun

va·​nil·​la və-ˈni-lə How to pronounce vanilla (audio) -ˈne- How to pronounce vanilla (audio)
1
b
: a commercially important extract of the vanilla bean that is used especially as a flavoring
2
: any of a genus (Vanilla) of tropical American climbing epiphytic orchids

vanilla

2 of 2

adjective

1
: flavored with vanilla
2
: lacking distinction : plain, ordinary, conventional

Did you know?

How did vanilla get such a bad rap? The flavor with that name certainly has enough fans, with the bean of the Vanilla genus of orchids finding its way into products ranging from ice cream to coffee to perfumes to air fresheners. Vanilla's unfortunate reputation arose due to its being regarded as the "basic" flavor among ice-cream selections, particularly as more complex flavors emerged on the market. (Its somewhat beigey color probably didn't help.) From there, people began using the adjective to describe anything plain, ordinary, or conventional.

Examples of vanilla in a Sentence

Noun The frosting is flavored with vanilla. Adjective The décor is pretty vanilla. a plain vanilla version of a song that's been recorded more times than necessary
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
Featuring a flavor profile of sweet honey, warm vanilla, and smooth bourbon notes, Queen of Versailles Coffee’s debut line is shaping up to be a hit amongst coffee connoisseurs. Chelsea Davis, Forbes, 2 Mar. 2024 The bourbon then goes into these barrels for an additional 15 months, and according to the official tasting notes that results in flavors like caramel corn, cinnamon, chocolate ganache, and vanilla on the palate. Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 1 Mar. 2024 Varieties are original, caramel, mocha, and vanilla, each with a 6% ABV. Detroit Free Press, 1 Mar. 2024 Ultimately, anti-system beliefs can lead to a variety of possible outcomes–some more vanilla, others more rabid. Clifford Young, Fortune, 28 Feb. 2024 Add oil, eggs, and vanilla; mix at medium speed until combined, about 2 minutes. Liv Dansky, Southern Living, 28 Feb. 2024 In this candle, aptly named Bibliothèque, the velvety quality of paper is embodied in touches of peach, plum, vanilla and patchouli. Anna Tingley, Variety, 23 Feb. 2024 Sweet Ash—a scent known for leaving a waitlist of over 10,000 buyers in the wake of its first launch and subsequent sellout—is a comforting scent that isn’t overwhelming, with leading notes of vanilla and tonka. Sophia Beams, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 Feb. 2024 The coffee chain also dropped cinnamon vanilla coffee and fruity energy drinks Dunkin’ is hopping straight into spring. Antonia Debianchi, Peoplemag, 21 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'vanilla.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun

borrowed from New Latin, borrowed from Spanish vainilla "the vanilla plant and fruit," diminutive of vaina "sheath, pod," going back to Latin vāgīna "scabbard, sheath"; replacing earlier vaynilla, borrowed from Spanish

First Known Use

Noun

1662, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Adjective

1846, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of vanilla was in 1662

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Dictionary Entries Near vanilla

Cite this Entry

“Vanilla.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/vanilla. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

vanilla

noun
va·​nil·​la
və-ˈnil-ə,
-ˈnel-
: a flavoring made from the long pods of a tropical American climbing orchid
also : this orchid or one of the same genus

Medical Definition

vanilla

noun
va·​nil·​la və-ˈnil-ə How to pronounce vanilla (audio) -ˈnel- How to pronounce vanilla (audio)
1
b
: a commercially important extract of the vanilla bean that is prepared by soaking comminuted vanilla beans in water and ethyl alcohol and that is used especially as a flavoring (as in pharmaceutical preparations)
2
: any of a genus (Vanilla) of tropical American climbing orchids

More from Merriam-Webster on vanilla

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