Vanilla Definition

və-nĭlə
noun
Any of a genus (Vanilla) of climbing tropical American orchids with fragrant, greenish-yellow flowers.
Webster's New World
The podlike, immature capsule (vanilla bean) of some of these plants.
Webster's New World
An extract of these capsules, used as a flavoring in cooking, confections, etc.
Webster's New World
The flavor of vanilla.
Webster's New World
Synonyms:
pronoun

A taxonomic genus within the family Orchidaceae "” the vanilla orchid.

Wiktionary
adjective
Of or flavored with vanilla.
Vanilla ice cream.
Webster's New World
Scented with or smelling like vanilla.
Vanilla perfume.
American Heritage
Bland, plain, or basic.
Webster's New World
Lacking adornments or special features; basic or ordinary.
American Heritage
White or off-white in color.
A vanilla suit.
American Heritage

Other Word Forms of Vanilla

Noun

Singular:
vanilla
Plural:
vanillas

Origin of Vanilla

  • Obsolete Spanish vainilla diminutive of vaina sheath (from the shape of its seedpods) from Latin vāgīna

    From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition

  • Borrowing from Spanish vainilla, a diminutive form of vaina.

    From Wiktionary

  • See vanilla

    From Wiktionary

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