vanilla

[vuh-nil-uh, -nel-uh]

noun

1. any tropical, climbing orchid of the genus Vanilla, especially V. planifolia, bearing podlike fruit yielding an extract used in flavoring food, in perfumery, etc.

2. Also called vanilla bean. the fruit or bean of this orchid.

3. the extract of this fruit.

adjective

1. containing or flavored with vanilla.

   vanilla custard.

2. Informal.,  plain vanilla.

vanilla

/ vəˈnɪlə /

noun

1. any tropical climbing orchid of the genus Vanilla, esp V. plonifolia, having spikes of large fragrant greenish-yellow flowers and long fleshy pods containing the seeds (beans)

2. the pod or bean of certain of these plants, used to flavour food, etc

3. a flavouring extract prepared from vanilla beans and used in cooking

adjective

1. flavoured with or as if with vanilla

   vanilla ice cream

2. slang,  ordinary or conventional

   a vanilla kind of guy

Word History and Origins

Origin of vanilla¹

1655–65; < New Latin < Spanish vainilla little pod, equivalent to vain ( a ) a sheath (< Latin vāgīna sheath) + -illa diminutive suffix (< LL)

Word History and Origins

Origin of vanilla¹

C17: from New Latin, from Spanish vainilla pod, from vaina a sheath, from Latin vāgīna sheath

Example Sentences

Warm, cozy spices take center stage: brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla, a little orange zest.

From Salon

E. coli is the field's main "workhorse" says Prof Wallace, who has also genetically engineered it in the lab to turn plastic waste into vanilla flavour and fatberg waste from sewers into perfume.

From BBC

One, in particular, incorporated a rather unique ingredient — tonka, which has been referred to as vanilla’s “cousin.”

From Salon

Costa's rivals jumped on the trend with Starbucks and Pret offering an iced matcha latte and Nero a strawberry and vanilla iced matcha latte.

From BBC

From the sweet nostalgia of frosted cupcakes to the comforting scent of vanilla cream, food-inspired fragrances have become a surprising obsession.

From Salon