What Is a Latte? Definition, Meaning, and Usage

Meaning 1：Latte (Latte)

Latte 🔊

/ˈlɑːteɪ/

A popular hot drink made by mixing a shot of espresso with a lot of steamed milk and a little foam on top.

Latte 🔊

➕

/ˈlɑːteɪ/

A popular hot drink made with espresso, steamed milk, and a small amount of foam.

📁 Category：Diet & Health 🔖 Level：Beginner

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From Italian 'latte' meaning milk, referring to the drink's milky content.

💡 Mnemonic

Think of 'latte' as 'la' + 'tte' like 'lazy' – a relaxing drink to sip slowly.

📖 Example

Every morning, I start my day with a warm latte and some quiet music. 🔊 Every morning, I start my day with a warm latte and some quiet music.

🔗 Collocations

hot latte – hot latte

latte art – latte art

iced latte – iced latte

🔄 Synonyms

caffè latte (n.) – The full Italian name for a latte, often used in coffee shops.

milky coffee (n.) – An informal term for a coffee drink with a lot of milk.

🚫 Antonyms

black coffee (n.) – Coffee without milk, the opposite of a latte.

🌱 Derivatives

latte macchiato (n.) – A similar drink where espresso is poured over steamed milk, creating layers.

📖 Cultural Story

The Italian word for 'milk' entered English through the popularity of espresso-based drinks in the 20th century. The latte is now a staple in coffee shops worldwide.