macaroon
/,mækə'ru:n/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Noun: A small, round cookie that is characteristically chewy, crisp on the outside, and often made with ground almonds, almond paste, or coconut, along with sugar and egg whites.
Usage
The word "macaroon" is a countable noun. It refers to a specific type of sweet confection. It is typically used in the singular ("a macaroon") or plural ("macaroons") to refer to individual cookies. It is often discussed in contexts related to baking, desserts, or food culture.
Examples
- For dessert, she baked a batch of delicious coconut macaroons.
- The classic almond macaroon is a popular treat during the holidays.
- This bakery is famous for its light and chewy macaroons.
Advanced Usage
- "To be like a macaroon": This is not a standard idiom. However, due to the cookie's texture, one might descriptively say something is "as chewy as a macaroon" to emphasize a pleasing, dense chewiness.
- The term is sometimes used in food writing to evoke a sense of traditional, homestyle baking or European patisserie.
Variants and Related Words
- Macaron (noun): A distinct, sophisticated French confection made from two almond meringue shells with a filling. It is important to note that "macaron" and "macaroon," while having a common etymological root, refer to different cookies. A macaron is smooth, colorful, and sandwich-like, whereas a macaroon is often rustic, dense, and dome-shaped.
- Coconut macaroon (noun phrase): A common variant where shredded or desiccated coconut is the primary ingredient instead of or in addition to almonds.
Synonyms
- Cookie
- Biscuit (chiefly British English for a sweet, baked item)
- Confection
Related Phrases (Phrasal Verbs/Compounds)
- Almond macaroon (noun phrase): Specifies the type of macaroon made primarily with almonds or almond paste.
- Chocolate-dipped macaroon (noun phrase): Describes a macaroon that has been partially coated in chocolate.
Related Idioms
There are no common idioms in English that directly feature the word "macaroon."
Noun
- chewy cookie usually containing almond paste