Definition

A compound that has a sweet smell and flavor, commonly found in vanilla beans and used in food, perfumes, and medicines.

Example

The cake was flavored with vanillin to give it a rich vanilla taste.

Conversation

Have you ever tried cooking with vanillin?

No, I haven't, but I've heard it adds a great flavor.

Yeah, it's actually derived from vanilla and is used in a lot of desserts.

That sounds interesting; I should definitely give it a try!

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Vanillin is derived from 'vanilla' (from Spanish 'vainilla', meaning little pod) and the suffix '-in' (used in chemistry to denote substances). The word 'vanillin' refers to the compound derived from the vanilla bean, which gives it its characteristic flavor and aroma.

Memory Tip

Think of 'vanilla' as the source of the flavor, and remember that 'vanillin' is the specific compound that gives vanilla its unique taste.

Visually Confused Words