1. to heat sugar or food containing sugar until it turns brown and develops a sweet, nutty flavor
Usage: British spelling; American spelling is ‘caramelizes’

Examples

• The chef caramelises the onions slowly over low heat.
• When sugar caramelises, it changes from white to golden brown.
• The apple tart tastes better when the fruit caramelises in the oven.
• She caramelises the sugar before adding it to the custard.
• The banana caramelises beautifully when pan-fried with butter.