annatto

American  

[uh-nat-oh, uh-nah-toh] / əˈnæt oʊ, əˈnɑ toʊ /

Sometimes anatto

noun

plural

annattos

1. Also called lipstick tree.  a small tree, Bixa orellana, of tropical America.

2. Also arnatto a yellowish-red dye obtained from the pulp enclosing the seeds of this tree, used for coloring fabrics, butter, varnish, etc.

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annatto British  

/ əˈnætəʊ /

noun

1. a small tropical American tree, Bixa orellana, having red or pinkish flowers and pulpy seeds that yield a dye: family Bixaceae

2. the yellowish-red dye obtained from the pulpy outer layer of the coat of the seeds of this tree, used for colouring fabrics, butter, varnish, etc

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Etymology

Origin of annatto

Borrowed into English from Carib around 1675–85

Example Sentences

Crafted in the U.K. by a team of “expert cheesemakers,” TJ’s Shropshire Blue English Cheese is made with pasteurized cow’s milk, vegetarian-friendly microbial enzyme and annatto, which gives the cheese a beautiful pale orange color.

From Salon • Jul. 30, 2025

They'll also add natural coloring agents such as beetroot, annatto, caramel and vegetable juices that make plant-based alternatives look more like the color of traditional meat.

From Salon • Nov. 25, 2024

To make achiote or annatto oil: In a small saucepan over medium, heat 1 teaspoon achiote seeds with 1 cup neutral oil until warm and the oil has turned red, 1 to 3 minutes.

From Washington Post • Aug. 5, 2021

The famed actress of stage and screen had just poured ruby red annatto seeds into an oversize pan.

From New York Times • Feb. 8, 2019

Mami propped up her pigeon pea and annatto bushes, which had been flattened by the storm, and soon they bloomed again, their leaves as new and fresh as babies.

From "When I Was Puerto Rican" by Esmeralda Santiago