Carmel or Caramel | Difference & Pronunciation

Carmel is a common misspelling of the word caramel. However, “caramel” can be pronounced with or without the “a” syllable in American English.

  • Caramel is a type of candy or a burnt-sugar substance used as an ingredient.
  • You can pronounce the word “caramel” as (three syllables) or (two syllables).
Caramel examples in a sentence
  • I had the caramel macchiato, but it was too sweet for me.
  • I had the carmel macchiato, but it was too sweet for me.
  • I ate a whole bag of caramels while watching the movie.
  • I ate a whole bag of carmels while watching the movie.

Caramel pronunciation

There are two ways of pronouncing the word “caramel” in American English.

  • The most common way of pronouncing it is with two syllables (i.e., without the “a” sound).
  • But on the East Coast and east of the Ohio River, the most common pronunciation is with three syllables (i.e., with the “a” sound).

Both of these pronunciations are correct.

In British English, “caramel” is pronounced with three syllables .

Caramel definition

Caramel is a substance made by heating sugar to a high temperature to achieve a brown color. It is used as an ingredient in sweet foods such as caramel flan and candy bars for its color and distinctive flavor.

Caramel (ingredient) in a sentence
When making caramel, you need to stir constantly so it doesn’t burn.

“Caramel” is also a type of soft candy made with cream, sugar, butter, and vanilla.

Caramel (candy) in a sentence
It’s easy to make homemade caramels if you use condensed milk and brown sugar.

Frequently asked questions about carmel or caramel

What is a synonym for caramel?

Synonyms for the adjective caramel (description of color) include:

  • Beige
  • Tan
  • Buff
  • Fawn
  • Sienna

On a related note, it matters if you spell it carmel or caramel; “carmel” is a common misspelling of this word.

Have you tried QuillBot’s free Grammar Checker? It will help you pick up common misspellings like “carmel” in your writing.

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Tom Challenger, BA

Tom holds a teaching diploma and is an experienced English language teacher, teacher trainer, and translator. He has taught university courses and worked as a teacher trainer on Cambridge CELTA courses.