# cocoa

/ˈkoʊkoʊ/ (US) · /kˈəʊkəʊ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/cocoa
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. powder for cooking

noun · CEFR B1

a brown powder made from crushed beans, used to make chocolate or for baking.

For teachers: the unsweetened powder produced by roasting and grinding the fatty seeds of the cacao tree.

- The recipe says to sift the cocoa with the flour before adding the eggs.
- High-quality cocoa contains a significant percentage of cocoa butter, which contributes to the rich texture of the finished ganache.

### 2. a hot drink

noun · CEFR B1

a warm, sweet drink made by mixing cocoa powder with hot milk or water.

For teachers: a beverage consisting of cocoa powder, sugar, and a liquid base, typically milk.

- We sat by the fire and drank hot cocoa after a long day of skiing.
- The children requested mugs of cocoa topped with marshmallows to warm themselves after playing in the snow for several hours.

### 3. the seeds

noun · CEFR B2

the seeds of a tropical tree that are used to make chocolate.

For teachers: the dried and partially fermented fatty seeds of the cacao tree, Theobroma cacao.

- The farmers harvest the cocoa pods and dry the beans in the sun.
- Fluctuations in the global price of raw cocoa have a direct impact on the profit margins of artisanal chocolate manufacturers.

### 6. computing API

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical

a set of tools used by programmers to build software for Apple computers.

For teachers: an object-oriented application programming interface (API) for the macOS operating system.

- The developer used Cocoa to create the new app for the Mac.
- Proficiency in the Cocoa framework is essential for engineers specialising in native desktop applications for the Apple ecosystem.

## Examples

- I like to drink hot cocoa on cold winter nights.
- The recipe calls for two tablespoons of unsweetened cocoa to give the cake a rich flavor.
- Global commodity markets often fluctuate based on the harvest yields of cocoa in West Africa, which produces the majority of the world's supply.

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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.