Dulce

American  

[duhl-see] / ˈdʌl si /

Or Dulcie

noun

1. a female given name: from the Latin word meaning “sweet.”

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Usage

What does dulce mean? Dulce is Spanish for “sweet.” It most commonly shows up in English in foods whose names come from Spanish, like dulce de leche and pan dulce. In Spanish, dulce literally means “sweet,” but it’s commonly used to refer to sugary treats—much like how we use the word sweets in English. The related English word dolce (which is taken from Italian instead of Spanish) means sweet or soft. Dulce is also used as a female name, especially in places where Spanish is spoken. Example: Although dulce de leche and caramel look and taste a lot alike, caramel is made from sugar, while dulce de leche is made from sweetened milk.

Example Sentences

City officials say nearly 20 tons of trash -- from plastic and glass bottles to food waste -- is collected every week at Agua Dulce.

From Barron's • Feb. 14, 2026

Ann McKeown, 66, president of the Acton-Agua Dulce Democratic Club in Los Angeles County’s High Desert, said she had wanted Harris to be the president “so badly,” but Porter is her top choice for governor.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 1, 2025

Dulce, one of Mexico’s famed female voices in the 1980s, made appearances on popular local TV shows and at international festivals and most recently starred in the Netflix reality show “Siempre Reinas.”

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 26, 2024

Co-presented by De Los and Grand Performances, the show will be hosted by KCRW’s DJ Wyldeflower and will include a live performance from special guest Pan Dulce, featuring Alan Lightner.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 16, 2024

Stacks of beauty pamphlets, including Dulce, Mignon, Beauté, Sucré, and the Dame's Journal de la Mode cover ornate side tables.

From "The Belles" by Dhonielle Clayton