Caramel vs. Carmel: Learn the trick to make it stick

Writing is an essential way to express yourself. That is why you want to avoid common grammar and spelling mistakes — how can you express yourself if you can’t find the perfect words? A classic example of this is the word caramel versus the word carmel. People have been mixing up these words for years, but there is an essential difference.

For the most part, people intend to use the word caramel to define a flavor, a dessert, or a color. Carmel is usually a misspelling, although it is actually a separate word with its own definition. Keep reading to find out more about caramel versus carmel and how to tell the difference.

Definition of Caramel

This word has three primary definitions that cover a variety of areas:

1. A liquid made by cooking sugar until it changes color, used for coloring and flavoring food.
2. A kind of chewy candy, commonly in small blocks, made from sugar, butter, and milk.
3. A yellowish-brown or tan color.

As you can see, these definitions cover what most people think of when they hear the word caramel. From a type of brown color to a sweet treat, the word caramel is used frequently. Here are some examples of it being used in sentences!

• #1 I got a toothache from eating so much caramel.

In this sentence, the word caramel is being used to describe the chewy candy that so many people enjoy. You can tell because it refers to giving someone a toothache. This is just one of the three common definitions in use.

• #2 I enjoy salted caramel ice cream.

This is another food example of the word caramel, this time referring to the cooking process that is often used to flavor food like ice cream. Salted caramel is an incredibly popular flavor, so you are likely to see it around.

• #3 Her eyes were a light caramel brown.

In this final example, the word caramel is being used to describe a color. A “caramel brown” is a soft, light shade that is used in many settings, from makeup to paint to clothing.

Now, let’s move onto the often misunderstood carmel.

Definition of Carmel

Many people use the word carmel when they mean to use the word caramel. This is partially because the words are similar but also due to linguistics — something we will cover later. However, carmel is actually a noun with a completely separate definition.

The technical definition of carmel is used to describe Mount Carmel, a mountain range in northwestern Israel. There is also a famous town in western California known as Carmel-by-the-Sea. These are both physical locations and should only be used in writing when describing these places.

Here are some examples for how this word would be used in two different sentences:

• #1 It is my dream to climb Mount Carmel.

Here, we can see the reference to the physical mountain and the desire to climb it. If you wanted to describe the color of the mountain or bring candies along to climb it, you would use the other word caramel.

• #2 My family went on vacation to Carmel-by-the-Sea and saw so many cool things!

Once again, this definition relies on a specific and well-known location that famously uses the word “Carmel”. This is one of the only instances when you will see someone use the word carmel correctly; most often, it is used by mistake.

Now that we have defined the two words and given examples, let’s look at why the mistaken identity of carmel for caramel is so common.

Why do we mix up caramel and carmel?

You have likely seen somebody mix up these two words, and it’s no surprise as to why. When two words are so similar, it is common for people to use them interchangeably. But there is another reason for the popularity of mixing up caramel and carmel, and it depends on what region of the United States you are from!

It is more common for people in the Midwest and along the West Coast to pronounce the word caramel as “carmel” and forgo the middle syllable. In these regions, it is more common to see the word caramel misspelled as carmel — people simply spell it the way it’s pronounced, which leads to the common error.

Tips to remember the difference

So, when it comes to remembering the difference between these words, just remember that the word Carmel is only used when referring to a specific physical location. To describe flavor, color, or candy, you will always use the word caramel. This is true regardless of how you pronounce it! Now, you can go forward and write these words with confidence.