Skip to the word

Added 10 October 2026

vanilla

/vəˈnɪl.ə/ noun

noun Definition from WordNet 3.1, Princeton University. Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about vanilla at Wordnik → Where our words come from →

Any of numerous climbing plants of the genus Vanilla having fleshy leaves and clusters of large waxy highly fragrant white or green or topaz flowers.
A flavoring prepared from vanilla beans macerated in alcohol (or imitating vanilla beans).
A distinctive fragrant flavor characteristic of vanilla beans.

adjective

Flavored with vanilla extract.
he liked vanilla ice cream
Plain and without any extras or adornments.
the most common type of bond is the straight or plain vanilla bond

Origin

Borrowed from Spanish vainilla, a diminutive form of vaina (“pod”). "Plain" senses derive from the perceived plainness of vanilla ice cream.

From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)

Back to today's word