# cinnamon

/ˈsɪnəmən/ (US) · /sˈɪnəmən/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/cinnamon
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Senses

### 1. the spice

noun · CEFR B1

a sweet-smelling spice made from the bark of a tropical tree, used in powder or stick form.

For teachers: an aromatic spice produced from the dried inner bark of trees in the genus Cinnamomum, typically sold as ground powder or rolled quills.

- I love the smell of fresh cinnamon and sugar on my morning toast.
- The recipe calls for a teaspoon of ground cinnamon to enhance the sweetness of the roasted apples without overpowering the other spices.

Usage: Uncountable when referring to the powder; countable when referring to the sticks (quills).

### 2. the tree

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical

the tropical evergreen tree that the spice comes from.

For teachers: any of several tropical evergreen trees of the laurel family, particularly Cinnamomum verum, native to South Asia.

- The cinnamon is a small tree that grows best in warm, wet climates.
- Cultivators of the true cinnamon tree must carefully peel the bark from two-year-old shoots to ensure the highest quality of essential oils.

### 3. the colour

adjective · CEFR C1 · Literary

having a warm, yellowish-brown colour like the spice.

For teachers: denoting a specific shade of warm, medium-brown with yellowish or reddish undertones.

- The bird had beautiful cinnamon feathers on its wings.
- The designer chose a cinnamon palette for the study, aiming to create a space that felt both grounded and sophisticated.

## Examples

- I like to sprinkle cinnamon on my morning oatmeal.
- The recipe calls for a teaspoon of ground cinnamon to give the apple pie its classic warm flavour.
- Historically prized as a luxury good, cinnamon was once so valuable that it served as a symbol of status among the elite in ancient societies.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.