cocoa
KOH-koh
Cocoa (noun) means a brown powder made from roasted, ground cacao beans, used to make chocolate and in baking. Example: “Sift the cocoa powder into the cake batter.”
noun
1
A brown powder made from roasted, ground cacao beans, used to make chocolate and in baking.
"Sift the cocoa powder into the cake batter."
"The recipe needs two spoonfuls of cocoa to give the biscuits a rich chocolate flavour."
"He dusted the top of the dessert with a little cocoa."
2
A hot drink made by mixing cocoa powder with milk and sugar.
"She curled up with a mug of hot cocoa after sledding."
"On cold evenings my mum makes cocoa for the whole family."
"Would you like a cup of cocoa before bed?"
How to use cocoa
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe powder chocolate is made from, or a warm chocolatey milk drink made from it.
Common mistake
Cocoa (chocolate) and coca (the plant behind cocaine) look similar but are completely unrelated.
Common pairings
a mug of cocoa
cocoa powder
cocoa butter
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Word forms
- Plural
- cocoas
Fill the gap
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Sift the _____ powder into the cake batter.
Etymology
From Spanish cacao, ultimately from the Nahuatl word cacahuatl; the spelling "cocoa" arose from confusion with the unrelated word "coco" and was later fixed in place by an early English dictionary.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for cocoa
See all rhymes for cocoa →Frequently asked questions
What does “cocoa” mean?
The word “cocoa” means a brown powder made from roasted, ground cacao beans, used to make chocolate and in baking. In plain terms, the powder chocolate is made from, or a warm chocolatey milk drink made from it.
How do you pronounce “cocoa”?
“Cocoa” is pronounced KOH-koh (/ˈkoʊ.koʊ/ in IPA).
How do you use “cocoa” in a sentence?
Here is “cocoa” used in a sentence: “Sift the cocoa powder into the cake batter.”
What part of speech is “cocoa”?
“Cocoa” is a noun.
Where does the word “cocoa” come from?
The word “cocoa” comes from Spanish. From Spanish cacao, ultimately from the Nahuatl word cacahuatl; the spelling "cocoa" arose from confusion with the unrelated word "coco" and was later fixed in place by an early English dictionary.
Is “cocoa” a common word?
“Cocoa” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “cocoa” have?
“Cocoa” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a brown powder made from roasted, ground cacao beans, used to make chocolate and in baking.
What is the difference between cocoa and cacao?
Cacao generally refers to the raw beans and less-processed products, while cocoa refers to the brown powder made from roasted, ground cacao beans, typically after further processing. Cocoa powder is what is commonly used to make chocolate and in baking or hot drinks.
Is cocoa the same as hot chocolate?
Not exactly. Cocoa in its drink form is made by mixing cocoa powder with milk and sugar, while hot chocolate is often made with melted chocolate itself and can be richer and sweeter. Both are warm milk-based drinks flavored with the cacao bean.
What is cocoa powder used for besides drinks?
Cocoa powder, made from roasted and ground cacao beans, is widely used in baking and in making chocolate, giving cakes, biscuits, and confectionery their chocolate flavor. It is a key ingredient distinct from solid chocolate itself.
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