noun
Uncommon
cinnamon
SIHN-uh-muhn
Cinnamon (noun) means a spice made from the dried, curled bark of a tropical evergreen tree, sold as sticks or ground into powder. Example: “She sprinkled cinnamon over the porridge.”
noun
1
A spice made from the dried, curled bark of a tropical evergreen tree, sold as sticks or ground into powder.
"She sprinkled cinnamon over the porridge."
"The recipe calls for a teaspoon of ground cinnamon."
"A cinnamon stick gave the hot apple drink a lovely warm flavour."
2
A warm, reddish-brown colour, like the spice.
"He painted the door a rich cinnamon shade."
"The fox's fur was a soft cinnamon in the evening light."
"She chose cinnamon for the sofa because it matched the autumn rug."
adj
1
Flavoured with cinnamon, or coloured a reddish-brown.
"They ordered cinnamon rolls for breakfast."
"The cafe sells a cinnamon latte during the colder months."
"Her cinnamon curls glowed in the afternoon sunlight."
How to use cinnamon
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA common sweet-spicy spice from tree bark, also used as a colour name.
Common pairings
ground cinnamon
cinnamon stick
cinnamon roll
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Word forms
- Plural
- cinnamons
Fill the gap
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She sprinkled _____ over the porridge.
Etymology
From Old French cinnamone, from Latin cinnamomum, from Greek kinnamomon — ultimately traced by ancient writers to a Phoenician word, related to Hebrew qinnamon.
Synonyms
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cinnamon-brown
russet
Related words
Rhymes for cinnamon
See all rhymes for cinnamon →Frequently asked questions
What does “cinnamon” mean?
The word “cinnamon” means a spice made from the dried, curled bark of a tropical evergreen tree, sold as sticks or ground into powder. In plain terms, a common sweet-spicy spice from tree bark, also used as a colour name.
How do you pronounce “cinnamon”?
“Cinnamon” is pronounced SIHN-uh-muhn (/ˈsɪn.ə.mən/ in IPA).
How do you use “cinnamon” in a sentence?
Here is “cinnamon” used in a sentence: “She sprinkled cinnamon over the porridge.”
What part of speech is “cinnamon”?
Depending on how it is used, “cinnamon” can be a noun and an adjective.
Where does the word “cinnamon” come from?
The word “cinnamon” comes from Latin. From Old French cinnamone, from Latin cinnamomum, from Greek kinnamomon — ultimately traced by ancient writers to a Phoenician word, related to Hebrew qinnamon.
Is “cinnamon” a common word?
“Cinnamon” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “cinnamon” have?
“Cinnamon” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a spice made from the dried, curled bark of a tropical evergreen tree, sold as sticks or ground into powder.
What is the difference between cinnamon and cassia?
Cinnamon and cassia are related spices from the bark of tropical evergreen trees, but true cinnamon is generally milder and sweeter, while cassia tends to be stronger and more pungent. In many countries, what is sold as ground "cinnamon" is actually cassia, since it is cheaper and more widely available.
Is cinnamon used only as a spice, or also as a colour?
Cinnamon refers both to the spice made from tree bark and to a warm, reddish-brown colour named after it. The colour sense is commonly used to describe hair, fur, or fabric with a similar reddish-brown shade.
Is cinnamon sold whole or ground?
Cinnamon is sold both ways: as curled sticks of dried bark, sometimes called quills, and as a ground powder. Sticks are often used to infuse liquids like tea or mulled wine, while ground cinnamon is common in baking.
