Cappuccino: Definition, Examples, and Usage

Meaning 1：frothy coffee drink (Cappuccino)

Cappuccino 🔊

/ˌkæpʊˈtʃiːnoʊ/

A popular Italian coffee drink made with espresso, hot milk, and a thick layer of milk foam on top.

Cappuccino in a white cup with latte art and cocoa powder

frothy coffee drink 🔊

➕

/ˈfrɒθi ˈkɒfi drɪŋk/

A beverage made from espresso, steamed milk, and a thick layer of milk foam, often served in a small cup.

📁 Category：Diet & Health 🔖 Level：intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

Italian 'cappuccio' (hood) + diminutive '-ino', referencing Capuchin friars' brown robes.

💡 Mnemonic

Imagine a friar in a brown hood (cappuccio) sipping a frothy coffee - that's cappuccino!

📖 Example

On cold mornings, I love to start my day with a warm, frothy cappuccino at my favorite cafe. 🔊 On cold mornings, I love to start my day with a warm, frothy cappuccino at my favorite cafe.

🔗 Collocations

iced cappuccino – a cold version of cappuccino served with ice

extra foam cappuccino – a cappuccino with an additional thick layer of milk foam

cappuccino maker – a machine that prepares cappuccino automatically

🔄 Synonyms

latte (n.) – a coffee drink with more steamed milk and less foam than cappuccino

macchiato (n.) – espresso with a small amount of milk foam on top

mocha (n.) – a cappuccino with added chocolate syrup or cocoa

🚫 Antonyms

black coffee (n.) – coffee without any milk or foam

espresso (n.) – a concentrated coffee shot without milk

📖 Cultural Story

Cappuccino was named after Capuchin friars (Italian 'cappuccino' meaning 'little hood'), as the coffee's brown color resembled their robes. The drink gained popularity in 20th-century Italy and spread globally.