# Macchiato

/ˌmɑːkiˈɑːtoʊ/ (US) · /ˌmækiˈɑːtəʊ/ (UK) · CEFR A2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/macchiato
Updated: 2026-09-20

## Definition

a small coffee drink made with one shot of espresso and a tiny spoonful of warm milk foam on top to add color

For teachers: an espresso-based beverage characterized by a small amount of foamed milk added to the top of the coffee to indicate its presence or 'stain' the surface.

## Examples

- I would like to order one macchiato and a small cookie, please.
- If you want the strong taste of espresso without the harshness, a macchiato is the perfect middle ground.
- The barista meticulously dolloped a cloud-like portion of microfoam onto the crema, resulting in a textbook macchiato that balanced acidity with creamy sweetness.

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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.