French word

vanille

Pronunciation

IPA/vanij/

Meaning

  • feminine nounvanilla

Example

Elle met de la vanille dans la crème.

She adds vanilla to the cream.

Illustration for vanille (vanilla)

More examples

Il choisit un yaourt à la vanille au supermarché.

He chooses a vanilla yogurt at the supermarket.

Core concept

A slender dark pod filled with tiny fragrant seeds that perfume cream, pastries, and other foods.

Common phrases

  • arôme de vanille

    vanilla flavoring

  • yaourt à la vanille

    vanilla yogurt

  • crème brûlée à la vanille

    vanilla creme brulee

Similar words

extrait: A liquid seasoning or flavoring produced by extracting aromatic compounds.
gousse: A slender brown pod containing the black seeds that provide its aroma.
arôme: A substance used to give food or drinks a particular flavor or aroma.

Definition in French

Arôme et matière obtenus des gousses d'une orchidée tropicale, utilisés pour parfumer les aliments et les desserts.

Word origin

French vanille comes from Spanish vainilla, a diminutive of vaina meaning sheath, ultimately from Latin vagina for a sheath or scabbard.

Usage tips

  • Vanille is feminine, so standard forms include la vanille, de la vanille, and une gousse de vanille.

Related words

Word lists with this word