vanilla
Vanilla (noun) means the extract or flavoring made from the pods of a tropical climbing orchid, used widely in baking, desserts, and perfume. Example: “She added a splash of vanilla to the cake batter.”
How to use vanilla
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishVanilla is both the familiar sweet flavoring from a tropical orchid, and — informally — a word for anything plain, basic, or without extras.
The "plain/basic" adjective sense is informal and common in tech and casual speech ("a vanilla install").
Word forms
more vanilla comparative, vanillas plural, most vanilla superlative
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She added a splash of _____ to the cake batter.
Etymology
Borrowed from Spanish vainilla, literally "little pod" — a diminutive of vaina ("pod" or "sheath"), referring to the shape of the vanilla bean. The figurative sense of "plain" or "basic" grew out of vanilla being the default, unadorned ice cream flavor.
Related words
Rhymes for vanilla
See all rhymes for vanilla →Frequently asked questions
What does “vanilla” mean?
The word “vanilla” means the extract or flavoring made from the pods of a tropical climbing orchid, used widely in baking, desserts, and perfume. In plain terms, vanilla is both the familiar sweet flavoring from a tropical orchid, and — informally — a word for anything plain, basic, or without extras.
How do you pronounce “vanilla”?
“Vanilla” is pronounced vuh-NIHL-uh (/vəˈnɪl.ə/ in IPA).
How do you use “vanilla” in a sentence?
Here is “vanilla” used in a sentence: “She added a splash of vanilla to the cake batter.”
What is another word for “vanilla”?
Words with a similar meaning to “vanilla” include vanillar.
What part of speech is “vanilla”?
Depending on how it is used, “vanilla” can be a noun and an adjective.
Where does the word “vanilla” come from?
The word “vanilla” comes from Spanish.
Is “vanilla” a common word?
“Vanilla” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “vanilla” have?
“Vanilla” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the extract or flavoring made from the pods of a tropical climbing orchid, used widely in baking, desserts, and perfume.
What is the difference between "vanilla" the flavoring and "vanilla" meaning plain?
"Vanilla" as a noun refers to the extract or flavoring made from tropical orchid pods used in baking and desserts. As an adjective, "vanilla" has come to mean plain, standard, or unmodified, likely because plain vanilla flavor was seen as a default, unadventurous choice compared to other flavors.
Is calling something "vanilla" an insult?
Calling something "vanilla" is usually mildly critical or neutral, implying it lacks special features or excitement compared to more elaborate alternatives, though it isn't necessarily a strong insult.
Is "vanilla" used in technology and business contexts?
Yes, in technology and business, "vanilla" describes a basic, unmodified, or default version of a product or system, such as "vanilla software" that has no custom features added.
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